Dear Rebecca,
You don’t like good-byes. So today, when you dropped me off at the airport, I didn’t say it. Well, truthfully, I slipped and said half of it — Behind my tears, I barely squeaked out the “bye” part, but that didn’t count, did it?
“Good-bye” is different. It seems so formal, so final – as if you won’t
still call me tomorrow at least 5 times to tell me what the baby just did, or about your frustrating trip to the store, or about how cute the drapes are that you just hung.
But the truth is, I’m just trying to keep a stiff upper lip. Because tomorrow will be our first day of living 5 states away from each other. And big states at that: Wyoming and Nebraska, to start with….states that take FOREVER to drive across.
We’ve never been that far apart for longer than a couple of weeks. Let’s face it — even when you “moved away” to college, we lived in the same town. And although you rarely came home, we still met for lunch once in a while.
But this time it’s real. 5 states away! It might as well be 100.
I’m not sure whether my sadness has to do with the fact that you’re the only girl, but I suspect it does. How could it not? I mean, seriously, how will I get along without you?
Who will go to Los Hermanos with me?
Who will help me with my wardrobe issues?
Who will go for a walk with me around the park in the morning?
Who will be honest and tell me that my new kitchen floor is just plain ugly?
Who will know the perfect thing to say to make me feel better?
Who will go garage sale shopping with me?
Or watch American Idol?
Here’s the thing:
Of the 9 people who have been born so far into the John and Shawna Edwards family, only one of them is a girl. Without you, I’m seriously outnumbered. You are rare, indeed, and in more ways than one. There could never have been a daughter that was more perfect for her mother than you.
But that’s not all. You had to go and marry somebody that I really, really like, and then proceed to have a baby boy (of course) that I adore. Yes, I’ll miss all 3 of you.
So, to Landon: Thank you for taking care of my little girl — with your tender, thoughtful, hard-working hands. (And thanks for moving all my furniture around — some of it twice. Okay, maybe three times.)
To Jaxson: Thank you for being just plain perfect.
And to Becca: Thank you for every moment of every day. Thank you for being the best friend I always hoped for.
Okay, I’ll stop now. I promise not to cry all the way home — maybe just til Denver. Then I’ll be brave.
I wanted to give you something — something more meaningful than clothes or a picture for your apartment. So here it is: My rewritten version of the song I wrote for your 15th birthday. It’s a little more grownup now – just like you. Keep in mind that even though it’s sung by a man, the words are mine — and all of them the truth.
To my grownup, upbeat, crazy, determined, savvy, charitable, indomitable Rebecca: I love you.
Hope you like the song.
Listen to My Little Girl, My Hero
Love,
Mom
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Shawna – stunning. As you know, I just delivered my little girl to another state – fortunately for me, not quite as far away as yours. So I know exactly your emotions. But I didn’t expect your song to be sung by a MAN. Way to rip my heart out!
You’re greatly missed in our neighborhood! How blessed we were to have a front row seat to your amazing gifts on so many occasions! The song, “Everything Speaks His Name” has touched me deeply and I’m wondering if you have the sheet music available for purchase? I would love a copy. Thank you for sharing your testimony through your incredibly thoughtful and gorgeous music!
This is so sweet. And I think it perfectly describes how great Becca is!
Thanks mom! Oh and Sarah is right….. IT IS SO sweet.
. Hehe… oh and i’m FAMOUS! (Only YOU actually know my tone throughout this entire comment. and i’m ok with that).