Trick or Treat...

For no reason at all, the other day I thought about our first Halloween together. You were four and a half. Your Mommy & I had decided not to take you out to trick or treat. You were quite upset by that but cheered up when you found out that you could still wear your costume. When you found out that there would still be candy involved you nearly drove us nuts with impatience. About every 15 minutes you would run into the living room asking if it was time yet. Mommy or I would tell you no and you would run back into your room. This went on all afternoon until Mommy finally said you could put on your costume.

What a costume! It was completely made up. You had wanted to be a Disney Princess, but we couldn't afford any of those costumes. So your clever Mommy invented a costume. She put together one of your favorite shirts, pink tights, and pink dancing skirt with some of your favorite toys - wings, wand, and tiara. And there you were, a fairy princess.


















You were in heaven. You wandered around the house granting wishes, casting spells, and occaisionally posing for a photograph. Then the real fun started. Kids began knocking on the door and it was your job to pass out the candy. Your Mommy and I figured you would eat more than you passed out, but we were wrong. You were so caught up in passing out the candy that you never stopped to put any in your own mouth.

Every child that came to the door got the full "Danyelle Treatment". You admired their costume, complimented them, gave them their candy, and thanked them for coming. Every single one of those kids was dazzled by your smile and your flattery. Each time you would exclaim, "That's the best costume I've ever seen!" And each time you meant it.

When it got really dark, the kids stopped coming. You were so sad, but Mommy told you that the leftover candy was yours. Your Halloween joy lasted far longer than the candy. It was all you could talk about for weeks. Just when we'd thought you had forgotten all about it, at Thanksgiving you sat in Grandpa Joe's lap and told him and Grandma Jenny all about it.



It made me smile then and it still does today. I look at how big you're getting and I'm a little sad that I'm missing you growing up. But then I look at these pictures and realize you'll always be my little fairy princess. If only in my heart.

Lullaby...

I wrote this for you in the summer of 2000. You were four years old and living with your mother and me.

Your Mom and I both needed a new start. You were living with your Mom in Shreveport and I was living with Grandma Jenny in Houston. We decided to meet in the middle and moved to a small town in East Texas.

We'd been there for nearly two months when I was struck one night by how happy it made me to have you in my life. Your gorgeous smile every morning brightened my day more than any ten suns. Kissing you goodnight did more to ensure I had sweet dreams than anything ever had before. Spending time with your Mom was second only to spending time with you.

That summer was truly the best summer of my life and I wouldn't change one instant of it. And when I'm sad or lonely I just think back to the times I tiptoed into your room and watched you sleep.

May you always have the sweetest of dreams, Danye. I love you more than words can ever express!



Lullaby

The sun has gone to rest its weary head
It’s time for all good children to be in bed
Close your eyes and I’ll tuck you in
Dream sweet dreams til the sun is up again

Go to sleep, Little One, til the morning is here
Go to sleep, Little One, I will always be near

The night has come and brought the moon
And the twinkling stars will follow soon
I’ll sing to you this sweet lullaby
So sleep til morning lights the sky

Dream for me, Little One, til the morning is here
Dream for me, Little One, I will always be near

Your eyes are heavy, but your heart is light
The angels watch over you through the night
To keep you safe from woe and sorrow
Til I see you again tomorrow

Sleep and dream, Little One, til the morning is here
Sleep and dream, Little One, I will always be near