Frost said gold is nature’s hardest hue to hold. He was referring to spring’s earliest gold-green leaves. Nothing gold can stay, he said.

Aye, fall’s golden leaves are nearly just as quick to flee. They linger just long enough for a photo or two.

My baby, with her golden locks, celebrates her golden birthday the same week all the yellow leaves glow and glimmer in the trees. So we crown with her a golden wreath of laurel.

And we dig through a closet full of boxes to find the gold leaf tea set my grandparents used on their golden wedding anniversary more than 40 years ago.

We set the table in shades of gold, pour amber-colored tea, and sing along with Britt Nicole as nearly a dozen kids masquerade through the living room. And the golden girl, she glows and shines.

She lingers just long enough for a photo and a short interview because even golden birthdays cannot stay.

1. What makes you happy? That I’m turning 8! {Giggle.} I have another one for you. That I am going to heaven.

2. What makes you sad? That people get sick.

3. What makes you laugh? Daddy! And videos of my sister when she was little, like 2, running around the living room.

4. What is your favorite thing to do? I like to swim and read and play with my stuffed animals and dolls. I also like to nature bake.

5. What are you really good at? nature baking

6. What are you not very good at? Knitting and crocheting – that’s not my talent.

7. What is your favorite food and drink? I like Kraft macaroni and cheese and cream soda.

8. What’s your favorite color? Dark, dark green

9. Where is your favorite place to go? I like to go to the Children’s Museum.

10. Who are your best friends? Naomi, Noah, Grace, Joellen, Mommy, Daddy, my sister, and Jesus

11. What are your favorite movies or TV shows? Liberty Kids and The Emperor’s New Groove

12. What verses are you reciting lately? Philippians 2:1-6

13. What are some of your favorite books right now?  Cul de Sac Kids Series, Imagination Station Series, The Bible

14. Who are your favorite people? My grandparents and relatives

15. What are your favorite toys? Honey (my bear), my tea sets

16. If you were a character in Wizard of Oz, who would you be?  I would like to be Toto.

17. What does Mommy do when you’re not around? Wrap birthday presents!

18. What do you do when Mommy isn’t around? Go to ballet, piano, art class, play with my sister, play with babysitters, play with Daddy

19. What is something Mommy always says to you? “Goodnight, I love you!” “Good morning, I love you, but I’m busy doing my hair.”

20. What do you and Mommy do together? Read, hug, and bake

21. How are you and Mommy the same? We kind of have the same smile, like to bake, and we like to read, and we like to take pictures.

22. How are you and Mommy different? Mommy is a mommy. She has a computer. She has a phone. She has an iPod. Mommy can drive a car. I can play piano way better. I’ve caught fish and she has not.

23. How do you know Mommy loves you? Because she says it every night, and she hugs me and reads to me and I can just tell.