SEVEN

On August 31st, we celebrated another year with our sweet Anya. The first few years of her life, it was easy to see the changes that occurred over a year timespan: she could eat food, she could walk, she could talk. This past year rivaled any other year in momentous events. Reading and writing are top of the list of life changing accomplishments. She stuns us nearly everyday with all that she has learned and has the capacity to learn. She is active and willing to try new things: this past year she became a much better skier, she rollerblades, and while she has always loved swimming, this summer she made leaps and bounds in her progress along with going down the slide and off the diving board. For her birthday, she wanted a fishing pole, and has already been out to use it.

Three years ago, we were prepping for eye surgery. Celebrating her birthday felt bittersweet knowing what was coming. That was the surgery to repair her detached retina, which ended up being irreparable. The loss to her vision was permanent. To watch her now - 7 years old, active, smart, engaging - one might never know what has gone on in her body. We celebrate her birthday and we celebrate another precious year with Anya.