Today You Are Eight

Today you turn 8.

In some parallel universe we would be celebrating hard, having a party.

A room full of girls, screaming and laughing and having a lot of fun.

Instead it’s quiet.

So so quiet.

There is no laughter today.

Today is harder than any of your other birthdays.

Every year since you were born, your Daddy has spent the day at home.

Every year since you were born your Daddy and I have been out for the day.

Whether it’s Brighton, London, Southampton or somewhere.

We have spent the day together.

Sometimes your brothers are there.

Sometimes they are at school.

But when we collect them we go out for a big family dinner, generally pizza hut, who knows why we associate that with you and at some point in this week we will find a film at the cinema that you would like and go and watch it.

None of that is happening this year.

This year was going to be different anyway as your brother was off on a residential trip today.

So the plan was also going to be us celebrating yesterday and then your Daddy and I having our day today.

But nope not even that is happening today.

There will be no Daddy at home.

He has to work for as long as he can work right now.

There will be no day shopping.

There won’t even be a day at the beach.

Instead it will be a day with your brothers.

We will bake you a cake.

That is something we will definitely do for you.

We will remember you this evening.

We will find a movie to watch that you would like tonight, at home as there is no cinema.

And we will all remember you today.

And when this craziness is over.

Your Daddy and I will have our day, your day and we will hit the beach as many times as we can for as long as we can.

This is so not the birthday I had planned for you.

But it will still happen.

I am not sure when but I promise it will.

But until then.

Happy 8th birthday baby girl.

Make the stars shine bright tonight!

Love you forever and a day.

Mummy, Daddy, your big brother and your little brother!