Dear Elena,
Mama is doing pretty well with her daily writing, and it seems like I’ll be writing you a letter every day this month. Ideally, I’d be writing in Spanish because that’s our language of communication, but English connects us to so many others (your dad being one of them!), and that’s special, too.
We went to the park again today. I took you down to the river and read a few pages of Hate That Cat because I couldn’t find the first book; I’ll look for it at school and read you Jack’s poems about his dog Sky.
After a few minutes of reading and waving at the boats that go by on the Miami River, I pushed you in the stroller back to where the swings are. Luckily for us, the dual swing was free. I pulled up right next to it and unbuckled your straps. You gave me a huge smile and lifted your arms in that “I’m ready, Mom!” which I love so much.
The baby swing is connected to the adult one, making us face each other. When I push us, we swing together, and I sometimes hold your rusted seat to help us go in the same rhythm. You recently learned to hold on to the thick and cool side chains, and you seem to enjoy the sense of control that brings you. I look at your face, soak it all in, and notice the other children playing around. You make eye contact with me every few seconds, and I kiss you.
Today, another girl swings next to us. She wears purple overalls and a white T-shirt. Her hair is braided and decorated with two rainbow bows. She ran to the swing, quickly decided which side of the park to face, and hopped on. Her feet barely touch the ground, but she inches forward just enough to push herself a bit.
“Dad! Can you push me?” she asks her dad, who is talking to another grown-up.
He comes around and gently pushes her back three times. As he does, she gains speed, and her smile grows. Then, he walks back to his conversation. You see her in admiration, and I wonder what goes through your mind. Do you wonder how she moves so swiftly? I push us a bit more.
Right now, you need Mama to push to make you go as fast as you want, just like the girl with the purple overall needs her dad to help her keep going. The great thing is that she won’t need him that much soon. She will learn that her feet are all she needs to stay in that moment of joy.
The first push gets us going, and two more help us gain speed, but the laws of physics will always work to slow us down, and we must remember that we have what it takes to keep swinging.
Start with a Story 
Like the other commenters, I love the letter format. It’s like you’re bringing all of us right there with you as you settle down to share your view of the world with Elena. And yes, “we must remember that we have what it takes to keep swinging.” A lesson for the littles – AND the bigs.
As for me, I’d love to see you post in Spanish at some point. There’s room for all the paths of expressions!
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I am always impressed by how you’re able to find big themes in small moments. I love how you view the world! And how lucky Elena is to have a mama who sees her world that way.
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Oh my gosh, what a beautiful piece, the strong theme at the finish. (I am a sucker for a great last line, and you’ve nailed it!) I love the “admiration” you see on your daughter’s sweet, young face as she watched that high-flying older girl. It makes me think of the second graders that seemed so grown up when I was in kindergarten!
The epistle is my favorite genre, and that you’re writing these to your daughter makes me teary. I, too, wrote letters to my son throughout his life and gave them to him in a stuffed envelope when he moved out after college. I can’t wait to read more from you. Welcome to SOL#24!
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Your last lines are, again, thoughtful & compelling: “The first push gets us going, and two more help us gain speed, but the laws of physics will always work to slow us down, and we must remember that we have what it takes to keep swinging.” Yes. Yes. I also love how you and your daughter swing together & how you notice the father & daughter next to you. Do you know that this challenge has a “write in another language” day each week? I think it’s Fridays. Check the day 1 post & it’ll be there, for sure. I imagine your letter to your daughter in Spanish will be equally touching.
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I love your letter format. This is a true slice of the life of your daughter. It not only shares your swing experience but shows your daughter’s reliance on you, now. What a great memoir you’re creating.
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