Days with the Dorans

On Mother's Day, we presented Ali with her first "REAL" bible in church.  She was SO excited.  Last year, Joey got his and I was able to read what I wrote in the front of his bible to him and the entire congregation.  Since that day, Ali had been looking forward to when she would get to hear me read to her in front of the entire congregation... Sadly, it didn't go quite as we had planned.  Thank goodness I found out during the Sunday School hour that so many kids were getting bibles (I think it was 11)and that no one was going to be able to talk. Instead we'd all be reading something (in chorus) to our kiddos.  I am REALLY not a fan of reading scripted anything but I felt sick in my stomach for poor Ali.  She had been talking about this day nonstop for the last month~ "Mom, did you finish writing my letter?" "How many pages do you think it is?" "Do you think you will cry like you did when you read the one you wrote for Joey?...

I love to write.  That being said when I write I usually write really quickly (with not much time to think about my word choice etc).  As a student I would wait until the last minute and usually kick out a great paper (there is a story in there about my final paper for my Master's but that is perhaps for another day). So, the night before we were going to give Joe his bible (an hour before midnight), I began to think about and then immediately write a letter to him that I would write in his bible.  I compose on the computer so I typed my thoughts in 'word' and was proud that I kept them to a page. It was amazing how easily my words (and tears) flowed.  I had tossed ideas and phrases around in my head in the weeks leading up but what I wrote just came out easily.  I shared it on facebook to get feedback from friends but started re-writing my words in Joe's bible (in my handwriting) immediately.  I didn't really give myself time for revisions... I the...