8 years ago nearly to the hour, I held Ivy for the first time. After being born in the wee hours of the morning, she was rushed off to the NICU to treat an infection in her lungs that looked and sounded like pneumonia, so we waited and met with friends and family and prayed a lot. She was our first; we hadn't prepared for any contingencies, however temporary they ended up being. At the time it was a little scary. All the babies in the NICU were premature or waiting to have surgery, and there was our nearly 9 pound Thanksgiving turkey, hooked up to tubes. I remember touching her dark hair softly, whispering to her through the isolette, and watching her turn to her mama's voice. Later that night, a kind nurse unhooked the tubes so we could snuggle her. She smelled like bacon. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
Now she is eight. Accountable in a few weeks. She is practically grown, a woman in waiting. She teaches me intentionally by her words and by the things I experience in our shared life together. I have been thinking a lot about Jesus' words that all of us have to become like little children, whether before or after baptism. Of course, Ivy's preparation for baptism has shifted my focus inward, wondering if I've taught her enough and what is left that hangs on my shoulders? But knowing Ivy, regardless of what I've taught or haven't, I'm sure with God's help, she'll figure it out. She always does.
Happy 8th Birthday, Ivy. I like you and I love you.
2 comments:
The love... "she smelled like bacon." What a beautiful girl. Wow, your kids are getting so big. So sad we didn't attend Celeste's Boise Reception. We could have chatted all night. My Mom said she talked with you for little bit. We'll have to get together sometime. I am loving your advent ideas as well. So creative! Love ya. Shauna
Sweet post. Thanks for sharing. A
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