Dear Emma,

I want to wish you a very Happy Birthday. Im sorry I cant be there for you on your special day. I am so sorry that I have a job that takes me away from you. But please know that I do this job for you. I do it so you can be safe and have all of your wants and needs in life. I do this so you can have the future that you want. I know you are too young to really understand what is going on but I promise you that I will make it up to you. I want you to know that I will ALWAYS be here for you and that I love you more than you could ever imagine.

Love, mom