By Marjorie H. Gore (Margie)
♡ ❦ ♡
Dear Miss Madeline,
Happy Valentine's Day.
Valentine's Day is a special time to tell the people we love just how much they mean to us. And I wanted to be sure that, on this Valentine's Day, I told you.
I love you.
We haven't had nearly enough time together yet, but somehow that doesn't seem to matter. There is already a connection between us that I believe will always remain.
I remember the first time I saw you. There you were in your little stroller - one of the most beautiful babies I had ever seen. You never made a peep. You smiled at everyone. You were sweet and happy and simply a joy to be around. Your mommy and daddy were so proud of you, and they had every right to be.
And I was proud of you, too.
As you grow older, your life will fill with people and places and experiences I cannot even imagine. You will make friends, discover the things you love, make mistakes, have adventures, and grow into your own wonderful person.
I may not be physically beside you for all those moments. I may not see everything your life becomes. But that does not mean my love for you will ever leave you.
I want you to know something I hope you will carry with you always:
You have already been an important part of my life.
Someday, when you are older, perhaps you will take out this Valentine and read it again. If you do, I hope you will hear my voice in these words and know exactly what I wanted to tell you.
You were loved from the very beginning.
You were wanted.
You were cherished.
And you were special - not because of anything you accomplished or anything you became, but simply because you were Madeline.
Wherever life takes you, never forget that.
I hope a little part of me will always travel with you - in the stories you may hear about me, in the memories we make together, and, I hope, in a little corner of your heart.
Because love does not disappear simply because someone is no longer there to say the words.
So if someday you read this and I cannot tell you myself, let this Valentine tell you for me:
I love you, Madeline. I always have, and I always will.
Of all the things I could wish for you, the most important is very simple:
Always know how deeply you are loved.
Always know how very special you are.
And never, ever doubt that your Mimi loved you with all her heart.
Happy Valentine's Day, my sweet Miss Madeline.
All my love, always,
Mimi G.