Odessa’s fourth birthday is coming up. A favorite topic of conversation for her is to tell me what kind of cake she expects me to make for her. She changes her mind frequently, though usually it has something to do with blueberries. My personal favorite permutation, however, is the blueberry and raspberry cake that has crust on it, white and yellow frosting all around the outside, and a strawberry and cherry pie baked in the middle.

It is so strange to see her growing so quickly. I have been experiencing a strange phenomenon. I cannot recall her in any previous state. I am aware of my memories of her as an infant, but when I picture them it is as if I do not recognize her. Any time I see pictures of her, I mistake them for Leo. I can only imagine her in her current state. It is like there is a memory goblin that follows me and slurps up everything older than six months. If I didn’t have a wealth of photographs and video of her, I fear that I’d have nothing.