Soon to Be Seven

How can I possibly describe this child on her seventh birthday so that you can get the tiniest sense of her? She is too huge to contain with lists of interests and accomplishments. She has this flame that is so strong and so beautiful you almost feel like you could lose your salvation if you ever caused it to flicker. She makes you sing louder and run faster and climb higher and cry longer just so you can see what it would be like to be her. Instead of walking, she dances. Instead of whispering, she sings. Instead of whimpering, she weeps. She never stops talking and sometimes you find yourself silencing her just to find some peace, but then you run back to her as fast as you can because you discover your world is changed, darker, emptier without her voice. Oh, Father in Heaven, thank you for this child who is turning seven.