Sweet Molly, we only had you with us for two years, but it seemed much longer than that. And though I never saw you, I can only imagine how beautiful you were. Thank you for joining our family when we needed you. I remember the very moment when you came to us. Lexi was three and she was refusing to get out of the bathtub. Normally, I would just walk away and let her see the error of her ways, but leaving a child alone in the bathtub isn’t safe so I did what any mom would do. I said, “Thank you, Molly, for listening to me and getting out of the tub. Let’s get your pajamas on and cuddle in bed with some stories.” I then proceeded to dry your imaginary hair and put toothpaste on your imaginary toothbrush. Lexi demanded to know everything about you, and when she learned that you were only two, she pulled rank as the big sister and beat you to bed.

I remember how proud Lexi was to be your big sister and how she took extra time in the morning to help get you ready, especially when she noticed I was running behind. She does have great fashion sense and never minded sharing her clothes with you like some big sisters might. But you two definitely fought like sisters and tattled like sisters. She would never let me pull out of the driveway until you buckled your seatbelt. I never understood why you fought so hard when Lexi buckled you in. And the arguments that occurred in the back seat were epic. Once, you unbuckled your seatbelt while I was driving on the interstate, and Lexi started screaming that I need to pull over because it wasn’t safe that you were standing in the back seat. That was a close one.

Never doubt that she loved you though. It might not have seemed like it when she disciplined you. I know you were placed in time out a lot for talking back, and I know that thirty minutes was an awfully long time for a two year old, but I know she was doing to for your own good. As your mommy, I should have told Lexi that I would do the disciplining, but sometimes mommy was too tired to handle your tantrums on top of Lexi’s. There were so many times I wanted to take you on vacation with us, but Lexi felt it was more appropriate to leave you at home with a babysitter. She wanted nana and papa all to herself.

I thought you’d be with us forever, but sometimes life doesn’t work that way. Imagine my surprise and shock when Lexi unexpectedly announced this past weekend that “this Molly business is over.” Why, Lexi? Her response was that she no longer wanted an imaginary sister-she wanted a real sister.

So, I’m so sorry, Molly. I’m sorry for the times I forgot to cook dinner for you, for forgetting to set an extra place at the table, for sitting on you, for not helping you with potty-training, for not encouraging you to read. I’ll always love you for taking care of Lexi when she needed you. Because of you, I learned more about how Lexi felt and thought. I learned what frustrated her the most, and I learned how she coped with stress. I learned how compassionate and caring she was by how she watched over you and made sure your needs were met. But maybe now you can find another family that needs you and can love and care for you the way you deserve. And while I don’t have a picture to remember you by, I have my memories and will never forget you, sweet girl.