I am getting into a bad habit in the past couple years. Facebook is such an easy venue to spill some creative juices that I let sweet memories slide into a status update and then not journal them into this blog for safe keeping. I wanted to back up a quick memory into storage before time erases it.
I had a very special time with my Abigail Grace last night. She started the 2nd grade yesterday. We were disappointed that she got into a classroom apart from her 3 closest friends and into one with only a couple of familiar names. She is such a trooper though. She dealt with the disappointment and anxiety so briefly at first but then got excited about the possibility of making new friends for the year. She can be fearless sometimes. She does NOT get that from me! She had a wonderful first day. When she got off the bus our Mommy/Abigail time was interrupted by little Chloe waking up excited to see her sister again after rest time. Abigail treasures this one on one time with me after school so I promised we would squeeze it in before days end.
We decided to take an after dinner walk to a park in walking distance to our neighborhood. She bobbed and bounced as we strolled off down our street. I remember, as a child I hated to have my heart to hearts interrupted by my sweet but chatty sisters. Being 3rd in line to share possible repeats of their own life experiences I hesitated to open up to my mom. But sometimes she would come into my room after 9 at night and just sit down to listen. I knew she was so tired at that time of day but she must have learned it was the only time I really opened up. Only then would I know that life interruptions were minimal and proceed with sharing my heart. I think Abs is like me in this. She craves that private uninterrupted attention.
As soon as we walked 20 feet away from the house her heart was open and pouring like a river. I listened intently as she shared her day with me. It took time for all the highlights to surface and even some hard struggles she'd had. A quiet lonely lunch by herself, a hard comment from a desk mate, but she let it all spill and I was so proud of her for not over dramatizing anything and how she handled it all bravely and was optimistic for tomorrow's newness. We walked hand in hand down the scenic walking trail and I felt so incredibly blessed.
Mom always taught us, you will have a lifetime of friends but only one mom. Most of the time these early years are peppered with parental corrections. "Don't touch that!", "please use a tissue", "ladies don't behave that way!", "you won't speak to me in that tone" and " sweetie for goodness sakes clean your room"! But there are moments, as they grow up where I believe God gives us a hopeful glimpse into the future. A glimpse, that if you persevere look at the friend and companion I will give you later. Last night was one of those glimpses for sure. She is such a developing Godly woman in a tiny bit size body! A young woman who wants to please God and her parents. She wants to do the right thing so desperately but learning that life brings out the best and worst in all of us at times. Humility comes with the honest realization of how hopelessly flawed we all really are. But I tell you what, I was proud of Abigail and the day in the life of her in this world she shared with me on that walk.
Yesterday we went to run some errands and at 2 different times 2 different strangers asked her if she was starting kindergarten this year. She smiled graciously and shook her head no, and explained to them she started the 2nd grade. She's such a peanut. She tries not to let it show but I know it hurts her feelings. She hasn't worn a dress in days and she told me she wants to wear her hair down and pierce her ears so she will look older. As soon as she opens her mouth she is so obviously not a 5 year old. I love this kid. It will be so fun to watch God work in her life and make her who He wants her to be. I don't know what His plans are for her but I know he has some special ones for our Little Bit. What a girl, what a young lady, what a blessing to my life she is already and what a friendship I look forward to with every day we spend together! Whew, I make myself cry on these posts sometimes. Ok, another little lady is anxious for my attention right now. She's wearing her Hello Kitty bathing suit and building a tent in our living room. Our # 2 is an awful special lady as well. Must keep at it, my buddies in training need me and who am I kidding I need them too. :)
