A Whole Hand

It's a birthday sort of day today, for a certain Little Miss. A handful of years, she is.

Her first question upon waking up this morning was, "Are my feet any bigger!?!" I don't know why she wondered if her feet were bigger now that she is five, nor do I know if that fact would have been exciting or depressing for her. Who knows? She is a strange one, this girl o' ours.


But we love her, just the same.

You know what else I love about you, Little Miss?

Those deep brown eyes that know only puppy face or shiny twinkle. There is no middle ground with those eyes.

Your drama. My, you keep us on our toes!

The fact that your nose is always in a book. In the car. In your bed. Around a campfire.

Your dreams and the fact that you share them with me.

Your prayers- I have never heard such grown up prayers come from children lips.



Your giggle that has the power to make others giggle too.

That you want so much to please me. You do, every day!

That you are thankful for the one birthday present you received, and it doesn't even occur to you to look around for more.


Your scrawny little arms and your knobby knees. I have it on good authority that your Papa loves these things too.

Your great anticipation of Bunkin. You love to talk about holding the baby, and sharing a bed with him/her, and blankets. You already dream about reading books to the baby, and rocking Bunkin to sleep. And not a morning goes by that you don't say "How is Bunkin feeling today?!"


I love the maturity of your thoughts.

The quiet excitement and reverence you have when you take the bread and wine. Your thankfulness to be a part of the communion of our Lord.

Your uplifted song.

The way one moment you can be somber and quiet, and then, as if by magic...you do something silly and unexpected. Like this:




And I love the fact you can keep a straight face while doing it.

You are a darling and a dear and it will be my privilege to realize more things to love about you in the coming years. You Papa and I love you so very much, Little Miss.

And don't you forget it.