“I’d love to see it and read that with you Ainsley,” I said as you told me about the letters sent to you by new classmates you had never met.

You ran over and got the little book filled with handwritten notes.  We snuggled together on your sofa in Madbury, NH, the house you had lived in for the majority of your seven years.

It was a confusing time for most of us as we tried to answer unanswerable questions about the future and deal with nervousness brought on by your family’s impending move to start a new life.

In a few days you would leave New Hampshire behind and become a resident of Scarborough, Maine, saying goodbye to a school, a neighborhood, a house, friends and family that had become central to your young life.  To be honest, It was a big deal for me and Grammy, so I can only imagine how many questions were spinning around your mind.

You read the letters earlier; now it was my turn to get a glimpse into your future.  Based on what everyone was saying, your future was looking bright.

“Isn’t it nice what this girl says about you Ainsley,” I said, “she thinks you’re pretty, and she’s right, you are!”

“Wow, this boy wrote a long letter didn’t he?  He’s excited to meet you.  That’s so nice, I bet you’ll like him.”

“This girl already wants to be your friend – and she hasn’t even met you yet! How cool is that?”

“Whoa, what’s this about this boy wanting to be your boyfriend?!  You haven’t even started school yet and he already wants to be  your boyfriend??!!”

We laughed and talked about each one as we read the letters out loud.  I could tell you were getting excited as invisible strangers came to life before your eyes.  What a kind thing to do…  your new teacher sending you those letters ahead of time!

I’m so glad we shared this special moment, Ainsley.  I hope the time we spent together helped calm your nerves a little bit…  because I’ve got to admit, they calmed mine!

Ainsley, you will be just fine because you’re smart, friendly, athletic, curious, proud, a great little student and pretty.  You’ve got all the ingredients for success, now and every day of your life.

So ‘Go forth and conquer.’, as I often say to others.  Go out there with fire in your little belly, make new friends and reach new heights.

I love you lots and lots forever and ever.