8 Years Old...
May 11, 2009I am officially the mother of an 8 year old. Ana’s birthday was yesterday, and while not the grand affair she had hoped for, I think she had a good day all in all. When I married, I got a “bonus” with my stepson, Michael, but Ana ushered me into full time motherhood. She was due on Mother’s day in 2001, but fortunately for me, came a few days early, so I had her in time for my first Mother’s day. I can still remember staring at her and crying because I just knew she was the most beautiful baby in the world.
The only time in my life I’ve ever truly wanted to commit murder was because of Ana. I took her in for her 2 week appointment at the pediatrician and they, of course, wanted to draw some blood. A routine heel stick, right? No big deal. Except that Ana wasn’t bleeding, and the nurse kept stabbing her with the lancet, Ana was screaming and I seriously wanted to kill the nurse who was hurting my baby. Since then, I’ve learned to temper my mothering instincts.
Ana has grown into a beautiful young lady. As I told someone at church, I sometimes have to remind myself that she’s only 8. You can have an almost adult conversation with Ana. She likes to read (and still likes to be read to) and thus, has a pretty good vocabulary for an 8 year old. She’s a dependable girl and I know I can count on her to lend me a hand. Lately, she’s been creeping into the kitchen to help me make dinner, unasked, of course.
What I love most about Ana, though, is her great big heart. She really cares for people, animals, whoever needs love. And she’s willing to pour out that love, pretty much unconditionally. Even her little brother, with whom she can become quite exasperated, she manages to love quite thoroughly. He threatened to run away after a heated argument with Ana one day. She came to me in tears, “Mama, I don’t want David to run away.” I hope she always holds on to that God given ability to love the unlovely. The world needs more people like her right now.
Blessings!
Reader Comments (8)
Happy Birthday, Ana! Ian came early in time for Mother's Day too. But did you just call David "unlovely?"
Happy birthday and many years to Ana! As well as, many years to her Mommy...who just looks sooooo young to have an 8 year old!
Peter T...David can be quite unlovely when he's in one of his moods. His Mother's Day card to me had a self drawn monster on it, "love your little monster," it said.
Philippa, you flatter me...and that picture on my facebook is fuzzy and several years old :)
Happy Birthday, Ana! I love this description of her, lovely!
Many Years!
oh, bless her !
God grant Ana Many, Many Years !
Beautiful: thank you for sharing. God grant her many years!
Many years to Ana!
Thank you, everyone!!