Those scratchy marks there on the wall.
They show how short I used to be.
They rise until they get this tall,
And Mama keeps reminding me
The way my dad would take his pen
And as I stood there, stiff and straight,
He’d put a ruler on my head
And mark the spot and write the date.
She says that it’s my history,
But I don’t understand at all
Just why she cries each time she sees
Those scratchy marks there on the wall.
-Shel Silverstein
making unbreakable - formerly moosh in indy. 
My goodness, she is gorgeous.
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@pgoodness, Thank you, I must humbly agree.
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Etchings on our heart, each one.
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@Amanda, They kinda hurt going on but they last forever.
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SEVEN! What a perfect post. Happy birthday, big girl.
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@Jen L., That Shel, he was a brilliant man.
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Seven is a wonderful, magical year. Happy birthday, Addie!
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@Angie @ Just Like The Number, I hope so, because six kicked my trash around the block.
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I got all teary. Happy birthday, Addie!
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@Sarah, Aww, I did too when I first read that poem about two months ago. I knew it would be perfect.
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Happy Birthday Addie!!
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@ClassyFabSarah, Addie says thank you and send cookies.
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Happy Birthday to your girl!
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@AmazingGreis, Thank you darling.
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Dear Addie,
When I was growing up, my Gramps did this same thing. It always amazed me to see my cousins so much taller than me. I couldn’t wait to be as tall as they were. (I never reached their heights. Sometimes, it really stinks being a girl in a family of tall male cousins!)
The only time I’ve ever seen my Gramps cry was when he realized that he lost these measurements (14 grandchildren) after a home renovation.
One day you will learn, and forever more you will appreciate.
Grow tall, curly-haired inspiration,
Sarah
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@Sarah, We lost our scratchy wall when I was 14. I wish there was some evidence of it.
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I cried because we celebrated my niece’s first birthday today and this poem is exactly how we feel. Happy 7th Birthday Addie!
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@Charlotte Anne, TOO FAST!
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Oh, sweet Addie…Happy happy birthday! I feel as though I’ve known you and your mama forever. You are such a blessing to this world! I wonder if you’ll ever know just how big of an impact you make on so many lives…even those of strangers like me. Much love, sweet cheeks ❤
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@Biddy, No kidding, you’re old school!
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That’s beautiful. I hope her birthday was just as beautiful.
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@Fay, It really was. It so much really was.
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she looks so GROWN UP! and obviously so freaking gorgeous. i remember when i started reading your blog, she was around 3ish. you’ve raised a great kid, casey. addie is one amazing girl.
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@Tara, OH MY, in just one year she has gone from little girl to this…grown up girl. It’s insane.
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Love this. Love it.
xox
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@heidikins, thank you. 🙂
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Happy birthday, Addie!!!
Casey – I’ve thought of you so many times today and said so many little prayers that today go well. I hope it did. 🙂
Amy
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@Amy- Hamlet’s Mistress, It went so well, SO WELL. Thank you for helping me through it.
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I’m so happy I got to be there on her day.
Happy birthday, Miss Addie.
xoxo
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@Just Shireen, Us too.
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Happy Birthday!!
We’ll be putting our Scratchy Mark on the wall today for my 7 year old. 🙂
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@mapsgirl, It’s a big week for seven year olds. Congrats for making it this far.
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I LOVE that poem…well I did. Until I became a mom and started making the scratchy marks on the wall. Sigh. It’s so happy and sad at the same time.
Happy HAPPY birthday, Addie!
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@Katie, Yeah, once we add Vivi’s first scratchy mark? IT’S OVER.
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I just had a discussion like this with my daughter. She has coveted a pair of my slipper boots for over a year. when she used to wear them around the house, they went up past her knees. Last night, she put them on…and asked if she could wear them to school. They’re a little big, but not enough to really notice. *cue tears* They just get bigger and bigger!!
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@Angi, NOOOOOO. Because this will probably be tomorrow for me. *sob*
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Those photos take my breath!
Steph
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@Adventures In Babywearing, Oh thank you.
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Gorgeous, but I never expect any less from you or your girls!
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@Marta, You’re so wonderful, thank you.
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