Seven Years Old




First picture


It's just not possible.   It's not possible that it's been seven years since Aunt Betty (Mama's older sister) drove from Austin on the 4th of July to stay with Emmeline.   It's not possible that seven years ago,  I checked into the hospital for labor induction on the 5th of July.   It's not possible that my tiny little baby girl is now the curly-haired seven-year old who's sitting beside me looking at her baby pictures as I type.


4-D ultrasound: first glimpse of our baby girl


Big Sister met Clare for the first time.


Aunt Betty with Clare

The world's best OB/GYN holding Clare

It's not possible that I got through a delivery without Mama being in the waiting room, waiting to hold a new grandchild.   It's not possible that Aunt Betty, Nancy, and Leslie all stepped in, not to take Mama's place, but to help lessen the void left which I felt especially after having Mama there for Emmeline's birth two and a half years before.

But it is possible, because with God all things are possible.   This teacher who could handle the kids others could not, who was quick to judge parents and other teachers, learned that personalities aren't created; children are born with them.   I learned any talents I had were entirely gifts from God and I learned to call on Him.   I learned that my children have all taken on the personalities of their patron saints.   And I learned that saints, especially St. Clare and St. Jeanne d' Arc, weren't all halos and holy poses; you don't accomplish big things for God without a little determination and stubbornness.   Those kind of personalities are fun and the stuff of life if you learn to embrace them and hold on tight.    I learned how to balance outings and doctors appointments with a father, deep in dementia and Parkinson's who would get lost, whilst carrying a baby carrier in one hand and the hand of a toddler with the other.  I learned that God would give me a little glimpse of Mama every time I looked at Clare.
I learned love multiplies and a mother's heart expands to hold it.


Ready for the car-ride home from the hospital.

Straight hair; no sign of curls to come


Always determined

Signs of curls to come & mischievous look which still tickles this Mama



Sweetest, most tender-hearted, especially with her little brother


Happy Birthday to our Clare Jeanne d'Arc.   I am so glad God created you and sent you to us.   I can't imagine life without you.   It would be very boring, indeed!

Our sweet little firecracker, almost born on the 4th of July:)

I wasn't feeling up to a large party, so we had cake with family friends at our neighborhood pool.   We'll make it up next year:)   I found this in Clare's room.



She wanted a homemade strawberry cake.

 

















 


Comments

Post a Comment

Your comments are welcome!

Popular posts from this blog

First & From Without

Image
"Is she in there?" "I think so.  Should we knock?" This was part of the conversation from my fellow teachers outside my classroom door the morning I returned to work, two months after the birth of my first child.    My locked classroom door.   I managed to get into the building with no contact with others, cover my window on my door, and lock myself in for a good cry.    I did not take separation from my baby very well.   I called my husband and told him I just couldn't stay.   He called the personnel office and asked about my leave options.   Then, he called Mama.    "I know it's hard, Joey, but you have to let her face this; she just has to do it." Later, when I talked to Mama, she told me how she felt when she took me to my first day of school.   She said leaving me at that poor, old south Louisiana school building was one of the hardest things she ever did. ...
Read more

Master Bedroom Challenge: {pretty, happy, funny, real}

Image
This week, Leila at Like Mother, Like Daughter , announced a Master Bedroom Challenge: Make Your Bedroom Beautiful and Useful .   It was a perfectly timed challenge for me.   As part of the Reasonably Clean House series at the blog, Leila recommends beginning the process in your master bedroom.   Her reasoning is right on target, as I've learned after nearly sixteen years of keeping --or trying to keep--our house.   Our bedroom is last on our list to work on in this house.   Since we moved in over a year ago, we've worked on all the other rooms .   Now, it's time to start making the master bedroom come together.   It's a large wonderful space.   My mama always said the problem with a bigger house/space is it is easier to clutter it and you aren't as wise with organization.   She was right.   Lot of corners and spaces to "store" things in this room until I get to them.   Plu...
Read more

An Anniversary

Image
September 16, 2004 began as a typical morning.   Emmeline and I went for a walk and then she settled down for her morning nap while I worked on laundry.   I decided to call Mama; we usually talked to each other every day.   Since Emmeline was born nine months earlier, our conversations had grown to several times a day, as I called her to share Emmeline's latest "firsts."  She had called a little more than normal to check on me.   A month earlier I had my first severe reflux incident.   I was eating lunch when I experienced the normal discomfort, but this time, it got worse and it was as if my windpipe was closed and I couldn't breathe.   I felt like I was choking, but I could talk, so I knew that I wasn't.   I was alone with Emmeline, so I quickly snatched her out of the high chair and put her in her crib.   I worried about what I would do if this did not pass quickly and I stopped breathing. ...
Read more