My sweet Mica, happy 8th birthday!
Once again, as every year before, you were really eagerly anticipating the arrival of your birthday, even though I managed your expectations by telling you that there will be no big celebrations for this one. But still, and very helped by grandma, you set a calendar on top of a chair in our living room to 15 March (your birth-date), starting the slow but sure count down to your 8th Birthday. And, as every year since you were born, here goes your very special letter.
First off, and this is so that even though I repeat every day is worth saying again, I am so incredibly proud to be your mom. Many days, I don’t feel deserving of you. How I ended up with a sidekick as amazing as you is far beyond me. As I sit and try to think of an adjective to describe you, there is not one that I can use to sum up how much joy you bring to life, how much you have improved me as a person, how much I love you, and how truly magnificent you are.
You have grown so much so quickly these past two years and a half, since entering school, becoming your own little being, forming your own temperaments, with the occasional moodiness and sullen looks when the day didn’t go as well as you had intended. You are loyal to your friends and demonstrate such a strong sense of fighting for what is right that truly impresses me. You’re of one the most adventurous, spontaneous and independent 8 year olds I know, and possess a free-spirited, generous heart with a witty sense of humour – traits you’ve inherited well. 
No matter what happens in your life, please don’t ever lose any of that. There will come times where that heart is stomped on, and you will feel the need to harden yourself, but don’t. Continue to love the way you do, forgive the way you do, and see the beauty in life in the unique way that you do. This makes you my Mica.
Your body contains so much zest; it truly amazes me. I’ve not met another person in the world who holds so much love, humor, passion, wit, and kindness in their soul. You have a way of seeing people in a way that so few do; your ability to recognize suffering or sadness in others and lend a hand, or say a prayer, and your ability to find funny wherever you go- yet another thing I ask you to never let go of. Grasp tightly to that. Some days these qualities may feel like burdens as sometimes empathy can be exhausting, but again, never let that go. It is a gift to feel for others the way that you do, and you are blessed to have the heart that you do.
Always stand up for yourself. It is okay to stand up for yourself, it is okay to tell people when they cross a line, and though I am here for you right now as your mom to protect you from that, there will come a time and place when you need to know these things and handle them without me. Listen to me on this one as many times as I have to repeat it, It is okay to stand up for yourself, it is okay to tell people if you are uncomfortable with the way they are talking to you. Never be frightened to look someone in the eye and tell them how you feel, that what they are doing makes you sad, angry, or hurt inside. You will never get in trouble for standing up for yourself, and you need to remember that and never forget it. Take stand when something doesn’t seem right, and do so with confidence.
Don’t make promises that you cannot keep. If you plan to do something, do it. Don’t share your friends secrets that they’ve shared with you. Never hurt someone else because you might be hurting at that moment. Always remember that someone else might be fighting a battle that has nothing to do with you. Remember that. Not everyones actions and words make sense outwardly, so try your best to choose your words wisely and be understanding, even when it doesn’t make sense.
It is okay to let people into your life, and it is equally okay to let them leave your life. You will grow to learn that this is a part of your life plan; people will pass through, you will learn from them and their actions, and they will teach you lessons about yourself, life, and who you want to be as a person, or in some cases, what you don’t want to be. Some of these experiences may hurt, but unfortunately, that’s part of the process. I promise you that every painful experience you encounter in life will shape you in some way, just as the beautiful and happy moments will, too; treat those experiences as learning opportunities, and keep growing.
You will not be the best at everything you do- and you need to know that is okay. You can only be the best at one thing- which is being you.
You will make mistakes- many, many mistakes. This is also okay. All you can do is learn from them- that is all I ask of you as your mom.
Being weird is good. Some say it’s a side effect of being awesome. If someone calls you weird, thank them. Take it as a compliment.
Please never forget your worth, your value. Micaela Pelaez, you are invaluable. You bring something to this world that not any other person can- yourself. Take pride in knowing that- I sure do. I love you more than any human or dinosaur on the planet, and I thank-you for being truly the most amazing soul I’ve ever met. You are a beam of sunshine not just to me, but to so many others as well. You mean the world to me, darling, yes you do and never, ever doubt so.
I love you more than you ever know,
Mommy
