on your sixth birthday

For Piper

On your sixth birthday

Piper Chen, you are my joy. You cause me to delight in life more than I ever thought possible. I love your smile. I love your imaginative and inquisitive mind. I love your questions and your songs. I love your hugs and kisses. I love your witty comments and that you can always make me laugh. I love the way you make me slow down and enjoy the little things. I love thinking about your future. I love living life with you every day and I consider it a privilege to walk alongside you as you become the woman God has created you to be. I love November 29th because I love celebrating you.

Yet, there is something that brings tears to my eyes on this day.

November 29, 2005. On this morning, six years ago, your biological mother knew she could not keep you. There are so many details that I wish I knew about her and the decision she made to give you a different life, but I don’t. And so I choose to love her by bearing, believing, and hoping all things. I love your mother for valuing your life enough to endure nine months of pregnancy, knowing full well she would not be able to care for you afterward. I love her for caring enough about your life to place you on that sidewalk in the bustling town of Chenzhou where you would be found quickly and brought to an orphanage. I love her for loving you by giving you the best that she could.

And I mourn for her. Piper, I mourn because she missed out on you. Somewhere in China, your mama remembers you. What I wouldn’t give to meet her. And thank her. And reassure her that her daughter is happy and safe and loved. But I will settle for thanking God for orchestrating the events of her life, your life, and my life. The Lord is good in making you a Waldemar. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Piper, as you grow up and wonder if you have your mom’s eyes, or your dad’s imagination; as you ask questions about your life in China; as you ponder what it was to be without a family for your first year, I pray that you will see yourself first as a daughter of King Jesus. A daughter that was never lost, never orphaned, never alone. I pray that you will be characterized by your Father’s imagination and creativity, by your Father’s love and joy. I already see these things in you and long to see them grow and develop as you live out the beautiful story of redemption that God has written for your life.

Happy birthday, baby girl! I’m gonna keep you forever.

All my love,

Whitney