Fun with the family

What's the old saying? You can pick your nose but you can't pick your family?

Lucy got a large dose of Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Toni when they drove through Denver on their way back home from St. George. They got to spend an extra day with Lucy as I had jury duty on the Monday after the Blessing. I left Lucy in their very capable hands. Maybe too capable it appears.

When I arrived home after putting in my hours of civic duty, I found that Lucy had taken her very first swing at the park down the street and had switched from putting her whole fist into her mouth to just her first two fingers.

Perhaps this work at home mom has taken the little milestones for granted up until this point. Her first coo and her first real smile (not gas) and when Lucy realized her name was Lucy and not Sweetie are all things I just took in stride...because I was there for them. But I found I was bummed to have missed her first ride in a swing and when I mentioned her fingers in her mouth rather than her fist, my mom said "Oh, she's been doing that all weekend."

The upside of it all? These firsts were done with her family who are not around to see all the little firsts which come up in every child's life. So, if I had to miss out, I am glad Grandma and Grandpa and Auntie Toni were here to experience them!

Lucy's Blessing

We celebrated Lucy's life with a blessing on April 12th. You can only imagine the flood of emotion on display as family and friends (with a few very missed souls) gathered to share in the love and joy which is Lucy Grace! Below is the prayer I wrote and read to Lucy on her special day.

To my daughter

You will never truly know how much love surrounded you before you even entered this world. And because there are things you may not experience yourself, I hope to bring to you the gift of my experience and my hopes and my life. My wish is to bring these to you unconditionally and to allow you the space to be just you.

Know, Lucy, that I would move mountains for you, but I want you to move your own mountains. Know my heart in its entirety I would give to you except I have a feeling your own heart will be big enough for both of us. Know you will not have the same experience some other children might have growing up and that is precisely the plan for I want your journey to be your own. Know, too, there will always be warmth and kindness and hope in our house because those are the things I hold dear but as you grow and come to have your own values and wishes there will be room for them as well.

There are times when I look at you when you are asleep or when you are smiling up at me and I simply want to cry. The tears are caused by the overwhelming joy of simply having you as a part of my life. Every time a stranger on the street passes you and smiles at your beauty and light, I feel so much pride; pride which I have never felt for myself. I think when asked any parent might say all they want for their child is happiness, but for you, Lucy, happiness is only the beginning.

As we head down this path we call life together, I look forward to all you will teach me. I look forward to watching you become the beautiful and wonderful and special girl you are to become. I look forward to enjoying your talents and nurturing your passions. For you see, I have no set ideals, just hopes…