
I had a son. A boy. I knew boys. I knew how to bond, how to play, how to love, how to nurture a boy. But a girl? What was I to do with a girl?
Perhaps I was freaked out because my mother and I never had a strong, good "Mother daughter" relationship. We made due, got by, pretended life was alright and avoided major blow ups by ignoring the obvious. I didn't have any idea how to nurture a daughter. Talk to a daughter. A girl? Really Me? Yep and nine months to figure out how to do "girl".
When Charlie Mae was born, there was a Mariner's baseball game on the TV in the birthing room. I know boys & I know baseball and here I am waiting for the "unknown" ~ bringing a girl into the world. Pushhhh STOP pusshhhh STOP STOP STOP. Charlie Mae was born wrapped up in her umbilical cord. There was a large knot in it and every time I'd push the knot would tighten and her supply of blood etc. would be cut off, not to mention the cord would wrap tighter around her. We had to learn to work together from the very get go - I had to relax and not push, she needed to wiggle and work with me. And so began our journey as Mother & Daughter.
Today my beautiful daughter is nine years old. Ohhh the day of her birth is reminded often as we PUSH, STOP, WIGGLE and WORK TOGETHER.
My Daughter is beautiful inside and out. She's full of silliness and stubborn. She is creative and she is fashion forward. She is full of dreams and sprinkled with drama. She loves babies, she loves old people and she loves everyone in between. She most certainly loves Jesus. Charlie Mae is everything I could hope for in a daughter!
We don't always see eye to eye. We argue. We bicker. We hurt one another's feelings. We laugh & we cuddle. We lift one another and we encourage one another. We love without end. PUSH, STOP, WIGGLE and WORK TOGETHER.
Yesterday we had an opportunity to spend a day together, just us. Ohhh my did we smile and giggle and talk and talk and talk. The conversations were different on this trip. They were more as if we were two friends sharing. Sharing our taste, or dislikes, our thoughts and our insight. I wasn't just talking with my daughter & I wasn't listening to my daughter. I was talking with my best friend, I was listening to my best friend. We were enjoying one another. We weren't just Mother & Daughter... We were/are Best Friends. The AHHH HA MOMENT Oh the blessing!
There was a quiet moment in the car. My "girl with the curl" had fallen asleep. I'm driving and thinking. I smile, then I reached over and touched her little arm. I am the mother of a daughter. Not just a girl, not just a daughter. I'm the mother of a daughter who walks by faith. I am the mother of a daughter, who God gave to me. (TO ME!!!) What an amazing, incredible blessing.
For this child I prayed; and the Lord has given me my petition which I asked of him.
Samuel 1:27
This morning as I reflect on those first moments, learning I would be the mother of a girl. I must smile and say THANK YOU JESUS for this gift.
(PUSH, STOP, WIGGLE and WORK TOGETHER)
I am honored, proud, blessed beyond measure and grateful beyond words to be the mother of such an amazing, beautiful and faith filled Daughter, My Daughter, My Best Friend ~ My Charlie Mae.