Then, I got the flu. I also got pregnant. I got morning sickness, congested nasal passages, and insomnia.
I also got my little girl.
If there were two items of clothing which matched, up the stairs she ran to change one of them. Tender-headed, she refused to put a brush or a comb through her hair... which she also refused to cut. Hair in her eyes made Daddy nutty, so she agreed to headbands and colorful clips. Bangs were never an option; they take too long to grow out. I chose my battles in those days. She went happily uncombed to pre-school and I didn't care. It's not that I was all that talented in the tonsorial department, anyway. She really wasn't missing very much.
She learned to accept a compliment with grace when she was three. It was a means of protecting herself from unwanted attention to just how cute she was. She knew it. She didn't want to hear it. I promised her that if she smiled and said "Thank You," the grown-up's attention would turn elsewhere. I count that as a major parenting triumph.
She is the glue that holds the group together. There is nothing artificial about my daughter... or the people closest to her. She's open and accepting and glad to make new friends, but the people she cherishes are the ones who cherish themselves. Her circle is diverse and marvelous and makes her smile. What more could a mother want?
She's faced joys and she's faced sorrows. She's picked herself up, brushed herself off, and done her best to move on with her life. It's a resiliency that inspires me; she is determined not to let the bad guys win. She faces the truth squarely... with the knowledge that she has a husband and parents and a brother who've got her back.
She's loved and she knows it and she lets us know that she does. She has a happy soul, a soul she is willing to share. I am so glad to be able to give you glimpses of her here, in The Burrow. Trust me, the reality .... in person... when you're around her..... it makes your heart sing.
Happy Birthday, Little Cuter.
A very sweet post. Happy Birthday to the Little Cuter. I have one like that too.
ReplyDeleteHugs to both our little girls {{ }}
Deletea/b
I can't put into words how happy I am to have her in my life. She is such a joyful soul, a voice of reason, an independent woman who can make lemonade from all the lemons life has to give. All of that and more wrapped into one daughter-in-law who makes everything FUN!!!! I love you Little Cuter! Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteOMG, this sounds just like my second daughter. She will not let me brush her hair, but then she wants to keep it long. She always looks like she's been out riding a bike and her hair is wind blown I'm constantly trying to urge her to brush it and pull it back away from her face. Drives me crazy. Hopefully, she will outgrow it and want to look somewhat presentable.
ReplyDeleteHope Little Cuter has a lovely birthday.
Megan xxx
Love you too, MOTG! Also, ((tear)). Also, SIR gets all the credit for making me fun ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd MS- if I'm any indication, a life begun with little concern for ones hair is not a hindrance, if anything it just makes one more free to play and get a bit dirty!