This sweater.

Lily was about fifteen months old when she first wore this sweater. It had a little vest that went with it. I loved it. I would put her in it and stare at her. Revel in her delightful babyness. Then something terrible happened. . .


She grew up. I've held onto this sweater because I just cannot imagine a world where I don't get to ever see it again. I knew it was happening, the growing up part that is, but until you take a moment and look back, it just doesn't seem to be happening.


Even now I am so grateful that Heavenly Father saw fit to bless us with Lily. She is incredibly loud and wild, but there isn't a day that goes by where I don't think, thank goodness for her. My daughter, my only daughter. Often Chad and I will catch ourselves looking at her, admiring something funny she is doing or just her general beauty. Yes, we're both impartial.


Her boundless energy infuses happiness into our home. Chad walks in the door each night and wherever she is she will let out a shriek.

"Daddy daddy! Piggy back ride piggy back ride piggy back ride!"

Chad will take off with her on his back racing around the house. Her feet are cradled in his hands and he lifts them up and down for added enjoyment of the piggy back ride. All this while she shrieks and squeals from the general thrill of the piggy back ride.


I hope the memory of these simple, enjoyable days stay as fresh in my mind as they are today.