Nicole Faith Canaan

Nicole Turns 25

Christmas 2024

“It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.” - The Little Prince

Yet, I think the little prince’s message wasn’t so much about him trying to make his rose feel important. It was that in the time he “wasted” for her, she fully bloomed in his heart and her importance to him took deep and permanent root.

So with me- that every moment I’ve spent with you, or think about you, or talk with you, or hear you, is deep in me and is forever. You will always be my rose.

But one day, someone else will also want to care for you, -hopefully not by putting you in glass, but by putting you in his or her love- and unlike the little prince, will never take you for granted or explore other planets, but will reverence and honor and love you forever. Why? Because you will be this person’s rose also.

Finally, I have come to sense (in all my years) that we are all God’s roses, and that His love for us is more profound than we can grasp while in this world. But one day I think, in his arms, we will know. And he will wipe away our tears- all the tears of misunderstandings, all the hurt and disconnection, and feeling like giving up and we will be even more fully home than we ever were while on earth.

“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” - Revelations 21:4

Wow! This is a lot to think about in connection with just wearing necklace. But the bottom line is simple. I LOVE YOU!

Your favorite Papa

Nicole’s 19th Birthday

 I was looking at this picture, as I have hundreds of times, thinking about how I close one eye too when I take a big bite of something.  I thought…Nicole is my daughter, my baby, and came from me and Mama in the most personal way - the way of love. …And you even close that one eye like I do! (which proves it)  

I don’t know if you do this anymore.  Maybe not. Maybe you realize now with roommate problems and mono and love questions with Brandon, and ups and downs, and high moments and lows, just how fun it all is, really- that it’s so stinking good to be alive- maybe you’ve realized with me by now that we need both eyes open, to take it all in.  It only lasts for a moment.  

I can’t tell you how happy I am that much of that moment for me will be with you- on this earth and in my life.  Thankfully, we have much more to come in the third act (unfortunately there are no hot dogs there).

Happy birthday my little princess.  I love you so much!

P.S. Don’t forget your “Nicole” songs. Here’s the link: “Nicole, I think Your special” I was just listening to them. I still love those songs every time I hear them.