Dear God, please help me remember to be patient and to stop and enjoy every second I have with my daughter. Please help me remember that she won’t be four forever. And that she won’t be able to curl up next to me with her head in the crook of my arm or scream delightedly when I tickle her feet or tell me that she’s really glad we took the time to cuddle.

And I know she won’t forever sit on my belly and coerce me to join in nonsensical wordplay that reduces us to fits of giggles every time.

And eventually, the time will come when she won’t think that jumping off a chair was the best part of her day.

And I know that I will miss these times.

So help me be patient.

Help my words be kind.

And my heart be open.

And my arms be loving.

No, I know these times won’t last forever.

But I hope the memories we are making will.