Before you were born
Daddy and I tried out
so many
names.
Olivia
Hannah
Libby
But none were quite right.
Then we thought of
a new one, a
different one.
Jillian.
We tried it out,
we thought of
nicknames
(Jill, Jilly, Jillybean,
Bean, Beanie, The Bean).
We liked them all
(Daddy’s favorite
is Jillifer).
We couldn’t wait
to meet you.
And then it was time.
Even though there
was sadness
for Papa Frank,
there was also
joy.
And there still is.
There are many
ways you add
joy
to our lives.
When you make
the crazy face
that makes
Aunt Bethy laugh.
When you play
Pokemon battle
with Ben and Dan,
and then
go off
to shoot baskets.
The way you started
a new school
fearlessly, openly
making friends
everywhere.
But most of all,
the way
you ask me to
snuggle
and
give you
a guardian kiss,
guardian thought,
and guardian
kissy-kiss
at night.
Because you are
my one and only
nine-year old
girl.