Getty Owl Foundation

Here is to 4!

From your parents,

This day holds extreme significance to both of us as your parents. I would assume the obvious to most is that you have hit a milestone that so many may take for granted. Yes it is significant that you have and will continue to grace us with your smile, your laugh, your expressive eyes, your sassy expressions and yells of happy and disapproval exclamations, but it is even more than that. We decided to write individual letters to you. While we both feel the same in so many ways, when we read these to you today, we kind of wanted to read our own to you with each of our voices, so you truly understand what today is all about. Daddy will go first.

Getty Girl,

You’re FOUR!

Happy birthday!

What does that mean?

I can’t help but pause and reflect on you, me, and our lives together.

You know, they said you wouldn’t be here today. We proved them wrong, honey. We proved them wrong and you continue to do so.

Meanwhile, I hope we, together with all your loving friends around the world, taught them a thing or two.

Yes, one of the first guttural reactions to your birthday each year is a sense of defiance and triumph. But what’s lurking below the surface? Let me tell you.

In a word, it’s … Love.

You have taught me to love like never before. It’s deep and unyielding. It drives me to breathe more deeply, sing, smile, share, care, relax, and fight.

When each day is done, I see peace in your eyes…

I hear it in your soft hoots and giggles…

I feel it in your warm soft stillness…

I sense it in your wisdom and patience…

And the deep rhythmic hum of your breath, as we drift off to sleep, reminds me to appreciate the simple facts that you are happy and you are here. That’s really all that matters.

I stay up for a little while longer just so I can watch your numbers change as you slip into slumber.

The stresses and pains of the day melt away. I am delighted to know you got to smile, laugh, and learn… and I got to share my love with you for one more day.

It’s been four years together, Getty ….

You, mom, and me.

Four years of living and loving each moment… one day at a time… and it’s been a fantastic ride.

Thank you for sharing and inspiring love. I am one lucky dude.

 Love,

Daddy

Little Lady, 

For roughly five years in total you have been a part of my life. In some ways literally. You continue to teach us how to love, how to take deep breathes, and ultimately how to live with grace. Every day you wake up it is a new adventure. The days may seem routine to some, but to us it is like getting on a space ship and letting the world offer its great rewards and we get to see where it will take us. Every single day you smile. With every single new day you grow and blossom into a little lady. What I am trying to articulate is that, me, your mom, feels like the luckiest mama in the world. Every single day, I get to have conversations with you. Every day I get to hear your beautiful voice. Every day I get to watch you roll your eyes at me for something I need to fix immediately. Every day I get to be yours and honesty Getty, that is all I want to be, yours. 

Thank you for fighting. Thank you for living life to the fullest. Thank you for teaching others what life is really about. Thank you for showing love and patience. 

At 8:16pm tonight you will officially turn 4. I remember when you came into the world like it was yesterday. Your eyes were so wise and your disposition was so calm. There was an air in the room that you created that wonderful night that still follows me. It was a sense of purpose. Getty you are here for a reason. You are a force to be reckoned with, yet you also permeate a sense of purpose to all that you meet. We are so incredibly proud of you and all of your accomplishments so far. You love school, you love books, you love music, you love driving your power chair, you love adventures, you love surprises, you love life. 

Getty you are our compass. Continue to lead us so that we can make sure you life continues to be enriched with love, light, and happiness. 

Love, 

Mom

Happy Birthday Getty!!!!!