I am very grateful to Jesus for the wonderful opportunity I was recently blessed with. A few weeks ago I received an email from Tom Bengston, the editor of Family Foundations the magazine for the Couple to Couple League. He wanted to know if I would be interested in writing an article about the challenges of parenting a large family as well as what advice we would give to new couples about how to discern what is the right sized family for themselves.
I was so very happy to oblige Tom! Before the weeks end of his request, I had my article written and emailed to him. This month the article was published in the July/August edition of Family Foundations together with our family picture that was taken by photographer Paul Tomas of Cary, NC on Mother's Day this May.
At a later time I will publish the article here on the blog, but for now I wish to leave it as fresh reading for the readers of Family Foundations, a few of whom who may pass by here on occasion. This week as well as receiving my first cheque for a published article I also received a complimentary copy of the magazine. I enjoyed reading it very much and I especially enjoyed the article "Dad's Not Perfect by James L. Johnson. It is a wonderful essay about the challenges of being a dad to a large brood. Even as a mum I was able to identify with much of what he said. If you have a chance, take a peek at this magazine - it is filled with wonderful articles and columns. It's so good I am considering subscribing to it again as it has been a few years since my first subscription to it ran out.
Read more!
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Awesome News!
Our Catholic culture has much to offer and I think it just got better. While I have, on occasion, enjoyed participating at Life Teen Masses complete with guitars and drums, I have always lamented that it has not been so easy to also expose my children to the older Latin Mass complete with its reverence, beauty and tradition.
The first Mass that I ever attended in small town Saint Andrews, N.B. Canada was still being celebrated in Latin in the early 70's. While I had not a clue what was being said, the incense mixed with the chanted Latin replies spoke to my inner soul of something deep, mysterious and well beyond myself and my human limitations.
Many years passed before I actually converted to the Catholic faith, but I do attribute that first Mass, in no small part, as being responsible for my first hearing Christ's call to me to come home to the Catholic Church. And this was despite my not being able to understand a single word of that Mass.
So imagine my delight when I discovered this on a 'new to me" blogspot: I have to Sit down by SIMCHA.
What exciting news. While I do not have a problem, per say, with Vatican II or the Novus Ordo (circa 1970) Liturgy of the Mass, I have certainly found the sung High Mass to be without comparison in the Post Vatican II Mass that has almost entirely replaced the Tridentine Mass. That this rich Mass credited with stimulating "the spiritual life (of) very many saints in every century of the Christian age"as well as stregthening "the virture of religion of so many peoples" is to be freely offered again, I find wonderful news indeed.
(quotes are from the unofficial translation of Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter.)
(Be sure to click on the bold red links to be taken to other blogs, articles as well as towns!) Read more!
The first Mass that I ever attended in small town Saint Andrews, N.B. Canada was still being celebrated in Latin in the early 70's. While I had not a clue what was being said, the incense mixed with the chanted Latin replies spoke to my inner soul of something deep, mysterious and well beyond myself and my human limitations.
Many years passed before I actually converted to the Catholic faith, but I do attribute that first Mass, in no small part, as being responsible for my first hearing Christ's call to me to come home to the Catholic Church. And this was despite my not being able to understand a single word of that Mass.
So imagine my delight when I discovered this on a 'new to me" blogspot: I have to Sit down by SIMCHA.
What exciting news. While I do not have a problem, per say, with Vatican II or the Novus Ordo (circa 1970) Liturgy of the Mass, I have certainly found the sung High Mass to be without comparison in the Post Vatican II Mass that has almost entirely replaced the Tridentine Mass. That this rich Mass credited with stimulating "the spiritual life (of) very many saints in every century of the Christian age"as well as stregthening "the virture of religion of so many peoples" is to be freely offered again, I find wonderful news indeed.
(quotes are from the unofficial translation of Pope Benedict XVI's Apostolic Letter.)
(Be sure to click on the bold red links to be taken to other blogs, articles as well as towns!) Read more!
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Cathechism from a four year old
Two Sundays ago we were attending Mass in a church that is new to us. It is a small simple building that actually looks like a church, both inside and out. Lining the walls are the Stations of the Cross. Not the modern kind where it is difficult to distinguish what exactly is being depicted. Instead they are detailed and there is little doubt as to the suffering that is happening. Nothing gory, but nothing hidden either.
Four year old Emma was distracted by the one closest to our pew. Jesus has fallen and the soldiers are beating him, rather than helping our poor suffering Lord back unto his feet. Emma asked the inevitable question.
"What are those men doing to Jesus, mummy?"
"They are pushing him, sweat heart."
Her deep brown eyes meet mine, filled with sorrow.
"But why Momma, why are they hurting him?"
How to answer a four year old such a question, especially when needing to whisper during the Mass...
I wondered how to explain such a complex idea - Jesus was preaching the Gospel, the good news and the leaders of his religion felt threatened by him and so they arranged to have him executed.
As quietly as possible I whispered to her that Jesus was teaching the truth and the leaders of his religion did not want to hear this truth so they asked these men to kill Jesus.
"But why didn't they want to hear the truth Momma? Why?"
"Because it meant having to change and people do not always want to change because it is hard to change. Changing how you live can make you afraid. "
Emma sat pondering this and so did I. I didn't feel I had answered her well. I felt I had dodged the real truth of the matter - Jesus was dying for us and he was taking on our punishment. We are doing this each time we tell a lie, treat someone rudely, choose to skip Mass. We are the ones hurting Jesus in this picture, not just the leaders who wanted him condemned or the men actually carrying out the orders to crucify Jesus.
Emma stared into my eyes once more and I explained to her gently, this idea of how when we hurt someone else, we are actually hurting Jesus so it is important to remember that Jesus is living in each person and to be nice to every one we meet.
She was silent and I turned my attention once more to the Mass, hoping my words had been the right ones.
A few seconds later she interrupted my thoughts again.
"Mummy - who do I kiss?"
"Kiss? Why do you want to kiss someone?"
"I want to kiss JESUS Mummy. So who do I kiss?"
"Oh," I replied. "Well, you can give one of our statues of Jesus at home a kiss and Jesus will get it in heaven. Or you can look up into Heaven and blow Him a kiss and He will get it. "
"If I kiss a statue at home, I will kiss his feet 'cause Jesus does not always like kisses on his cheek. "
"No, Emma, you are right, he does not always like kisses on his cheek."
She stood up on the kneeler and leaned forward and blew a kiss in the direction of the crucifix and then blew a kiss to His Mother to the side of the alter. She smiled at me and stepped down off the kneeler. "I gave them both kisses, mummy!"
I smiled back and then once more directed my attention to the alter, not a little touched by her love for Jesus and his mother. Suddenly though, I was distracted again. Emma's head had disappeared and I suddenly felt a little peck on my ankle. Emma's brunet head reappeared and she smiled shyly at me.
"I just kissed Jesus' feet Mummy. Do you think he is happy now?"
What is it Jesus said; We must be like little children??? He was so right. Read more!
Four year old Emma was distracted by the one closest to our pew. Jesus has fallen and the soldiers are beating him, rather than helping our poor suffering Lord back unto his feet. Emma asked the inevitable question.
"What are those men doing to Jesus, mummy?"
"They are pushing him, sweat heart."
Her deep brown eyes meet mine, filled with sorrow.
"But why Momma, why are they hurting him?"
How to answer a four year old such a question, especially when needing to whisper during the Mass...
I wondered how to explain such a complex idea - Jesus was preaching the Gospel, the good news and the leaders of his religion felt threatened by him and so they arranged to have him executed.
As quietly as possible I whispered to her that Jesus was teaching the truth and the leaders of his religion did not want to hear this truth so they asked these men to kill Jesus.
"But why didn't they want to hear the truth Momma? Why?"
"Because it meant having to change and people do not always want to change because it is hard to change. Changing how you live can make you afraid. "
Emma sat pondering this and so did I. I didn't feel I had answered her well. I felt I had dodged the real truth of the matter - Jesus was dying for us and he was taking on our punishment. We are doing this each time we tell a lie, treat someone rudely, choose to skip Mass. We are the ones hurting Jesus in this picture, not just the leaders who wanted him condemned or the men actually carrying out the orders to crucify Jesus.
Emma stared into my eyes once more and I explained to her gently, this idea of how when we hurt someone else, we are actually hurting Jesus so it is important to remember that Jesus is living in each person and to be nice to every one we meet.
She was silent and I turned my attention once more to the Mass, hoping my words had been the right ones.
A few seconds later she interrupted my thoughts again.
"Mummy - who do I kiss?"
"Kiss? Why do you want to kiss someone?"
"I want to kiss JESUS Mummy. So who do I kiss?"
"Oh," I replied. "Well, you can give one of our statues of Jesus at home a kiss and Jesus will get it in heaven. Or you can look up into Heaven and blow Him a kiss and He will get it. "
"If I kiss a statue at home, I will kiss his feet 'cause Jesus does not always like kisses on his cheek. "
"No, Emma, you are right, he does not always like kisses on his cheek."
She stood up on the kneeler and leaned forward and blew a kiss in the direction of the crucifix and then blew a kiss to His Mother to the side of the alter. She smiled at me and stepped down off the kneeler. "I gave them both kisses, mummy!"
I smiled back and then once more directed my attention to the alter, not a little touched by her love for Jesus and his mother. Suddenly though, I was distracted again. Emma's head had disappeared and I suddenly felt a little peck on my ankle. Emma's brunet head reappeared and she smiled shyly at me.
"I just kissed Jesus' feet Mummy. Do you think he is happy now?"
What is it Jesus said; We must be like little children??? He was so right. Read more!
Monday, July 02, 2007
Photo update....
Wedding photos will appear as soon as we receive them from the photographer, Paul Tomas of Cary NC.
Until then, like my readers, I await impatient... err I mean patiently. I believe they are almost ready and Paul hopes to mail us the CD soon.
Thankfully I am more closely related to cats, than dogs and so have nine lives to work through while my curiosity to see the final product almost kills me. I see you smiling Michaela!!! Read more!
Until then, like my readers, I await impatient... err I mean patiently. I believe they are almost ready and Paul hopes to mail us the CD soon.
Thankfully I am more closely related to cats, than dogs and so have nine lives to work through while my curiosity to see the final product almost kills me. I see you smiling Michaela!!! Read more!
The Honest Truth...
Even with only three small ones at the table - it was still a rather loud dinner taking place. Bethany, before leaving to go on an errand with her daddy had decided to bequeath her harmonica to Elsa, her 2 year old sister.
After a few minutes of sucking and blowing on it and getting little return from her efforts, Elsa tossed it aside and moved on. Emma and Nathaniel pounced on it, wrestled over it and Nathaniel being the stronger of the two won first dibs on it. I have to say, the boy has talent.
The grilled cheese sandwiches on homemade wheat bread was ready so we sat down at the table and tucked in to the simple but delicious meal. Every other bite, however, was punctuated with Emma's constant whine;
"Pleeeeease Tanny, can't I have a turn?", sometimes alternated with "I can't I have a turn to make some mucus!" (Read music for mucus...)
Knowing that her talent with a harmonica is about the same as most four year olds, I tried to turn a deaf ear to her pleas. Finally unable to bear it any longer, I sighed:
"Please Emma, would you stop your whining about the harmonica!"
To which she replied:
"But Momma, if you would just give me the harmonica - I wouldn't whine any more." Read more!
After a few minutes of sucking and blowing on it and getting little return from her efforts, Elsa tossed it aside and moved on. Emma and Nathaniel pounced on it, wrestled over it and Nathaniel being the stronger of the two won first dibs on it. I have to say, the boy has talent.
The grilled cheese sandwiches on homemade wheat bread was ready so we sat down at the table and tucked in to the simple but delicious meal. Every other bite, however, was punctuated with Emma's constant whine;
"Pleeeeease Tanny, can't I have a turn?", sometimes alternated with "I can't I have a turn to make some mucus!" (Read music for mucus...)
Knowing that her talent with a harmonica is about the same as most four year olds, I tried to turn a deaf ear to her pleas. Finally unable to bear it any longer, I sighed:
"Please Emma, would you stop your whining about the harmonica!"
To which she replied:
"But Momma, if you would just give me the harmonica - I wouldn't whine any more." Read more!
Monday, June 25, 2007
PUMPLES!!
I turned my attention back to the flower girl basket that I was working on and as I sewed another stitch on the ribbon for it, I heard a loud gasp and Emma leaped into my line of vision.
“PUMPLES!” she exclaimed. “Chocolate can give you pumples? “
She continued as her little hand stretched out searching for the bag chocolate chips.
“I better put some of dese chocolate chips back if they make pumples. Actually I will put them ALL back!” she declared as she hurriedly stuffed her tiny handful back into the yellow bag.
“I don’t want any pumples for the wedding. I want to be beautiful for the wedding!”
…and she was as you will be able to determine from the photos once I receive them from the photographer.
I have many sweet and funny memories to share as well as loads of photos. However, my camera is missing and so I must wait until our photographer sends the photos onto to us.
In the meantime please keep the new couple, John and Jenny, in your prayers while they travel in the west on their honey moon.
PS Any of my readers who enjoy the photos we often post, please join our prayers to Saint Anthony that through his intercession we will find my camera.
Read more!
Here are a few peeks we have been given of the many hundred photos taken throughout the day. However, like me, you will have to wait to view pictures of the bride and groom and the actual wedding.
Read more!
Proud daddy of the bride...
Here is the handsome man I married almost 27 years ago, watching his (second oldest) baby girl dance to " The Luckiest" (by Ben Folds) with her husband. Personally I think he is as handsome now as when I married him, if not more. I think maybe it is I that am... the luckiest!
Read more!
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Simple Math...
12 Children
1 Wedding in 10 days (still double digits for 14 more hours)
6 roasts to order for hubby to cook for reception
11 children participating IN their sister's wedding
6 children starting new curriculum in 14 days
3 hours worked as secretary for home business
24 hours full time mum
10 pumpkin loaves to cook for reception
5 cups of dulce de leche to make... for reception
1 head dress left of three to make
4 baskets to stain and decorate
1 missing diaper bag located in West Virginia, ships home today...
+ X number of unknowns yet to be discovered
= brain dead and little to no blogging these days.
So my apologies to my faithful readers. You will be rewarded with the equivalent of THOUSANDS of words when I post wedding pictures.
In the meantime, keep this brain dead mother, who keeps calling the ring bearer the Flower Boy, in your prayers.
(P.S. My husbands doesn't think I should tell the bride that the above mentioned ring bearer CUT his bangs last week. WHAT do you think?) Read more!
1 Wedding in 10 days (still double digits for 14 more hours)
6 roasts to order for hubby to cook for reception
11 children participating IN their sister's wedding
6 children starting new curriculum in 14 days
3 hours worked as secretary for home business
24 hours full time mum
10 pumpkin loaves to cook for reception
5 cups of dulce de leche to make... for reception
1 head dress left of three to make
4 baskets to stain and decorate
1 missing diaper bag located in West Virginia, ships home today...
+ X number of unknowns yet to be discovered
= brain dead and little to no blogging these days.
So my apologies to my faithful readers. You will be rewarded with the equivalent of THOUSANDS of words when I post wedding pictures.
In the meantime, keep this brain dead mother, who keeps calling the ring bearer the Flower Boy, in your prayers.
(P.S. My husbands doesn't think I should tell the bride that the above mentioned ring bearer CUT his bangs last week. WHAT do you think?) Read more!
Monday, June 04, 2007
What was the occaison?
Now where and why did we gather for this almost complete family picture? Well, we were all together in Belmont for a few reasons.
One) It was mother's day and
Two) we were gathering together there in Belmont instead of at home so as to allow a family friend who will be doing the wedding pictures an opportunity to see the beautiful church where Jenny will be married in just NINETEEN days from today!
But there was another reason for taking this family picture which is sadly missing our oldest daughter. I have been asked to contribute an article on parenting large families and discerning family size for the Family Foundations magazine, the membership magazine for the Couple to Couple League. In their July/August edition and they wanted a family picture.
So voila! Our family - sans our oldest who still resides in Boston.
Read more!
One) It was mother's day and
Two) we were gathering together there in Belmont instead of at home so as to allow a family friend who will be doing the wedding pictures an opportunity to see the beautiful church where Jenny will be married in just NINETEEN days from today!
But there was another reason for taking this family picture which is sadly missing our oldest daughter. I have been asked to contribute an article on parenting large families and discerning family size for the Family Foundations magazine, the membership magazine for the Couple to Couple League. In their July/August edition and they wanted a family picture.
So voila! Our family - sans our oldest who still resides in Boston.
Read more!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
a few more pics
...have been posted below. Blogger sometimes does not really want to load picures and the evening I was trying to get that post on the day at the park was one of those times. Look for more pictures later as we took lots!
In the meantime, please keep those prayers coming our way. We are wading through some tough times, armed only with our prayers and our faith.
Blessings from mum2twelve
aka Christi Read more!
In the meantime, please keep those prayers coming our way. We are wading through some tough times, armed only with our prayers and our faith.
Blessings from mum2twelve
aka Christi Read more!
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Has it really been 11 days???
... since my last post.
Time really flies when you are.... busy!
I have a favour to ask of my faithful readers. Please offer up a prayer or two for our family. We have come to a cross roads and what did my husband do - but pray for "more faith". As I heard those fateful words cross his lips - my eye brows raised- about an inch and he looked startled.
"What?", he asked defensively.
"Faith? Should you maybe try asking for graces instead?" I quiered.
And then import of what he had said struck him and his eyebrows went up as it sunk in.
"Oh.", he replied flatly.
And the Lord has been quick to answer my spouse's plea for a growth in faith. I can almost imagine His grin at the invitation to stretch our faith.
And so I ask you to join us in our prayers for the graces to face the immeadiate challenges in front of us. In particular we need many pieces to fall in place quickly as well as people in two different countries, as well as different provinces, to all co-operate in order for all to come about in a quick manner. Suffice to say, things have not yet begun to fall in place and our nerves are stretched thin enough to twang a song on them.
Still, with all that is going on health wise, financially wise and spiritually we took some well deserved time off and I will share the results below.... Read more!
Time really flies when you are.... busy!
I have a favour to ask of my faithful readers. Please offer up a prayer or two for our family. We have come to a cross roads and what did my husband do - but pray for "more faith". As I heard those fateful words cross his lips - my eye brows raised- about an inch and he looked startled.
"What?", he asked defensively.
"Faith? Should you maybe try asking for graces instead?" I quiered.
And then import of what he had said struck him and his eyebrows went up as it sunk in.
"Oh.", he replied flatly.
And the Lord has been quick to answer my spouse's plea for a growth in faith. I can almost imagine His grin at the invitation to stretch our faith.
And so I ask you to join us in our prayers for the graces to face the immeadiate challenges in front of us. In particular we need many pieces to fall in place quickly as well as people in two different countries, as well as different provinces, to all co-operate in order for all to come about in a quick manner. Suffice to say, things have not yet begun to fall in place and our nerves are stretched thin enough to twang a song on them.
Still, with all that is going on health wise, financially wise and spiritually we took some well deserved time off and I will share the results below.... Read more!
just a few photos from a day at the park...
Even a six year old looks tall from the right angle!
Ooops - caughtcha on the camera!
Hey Mama - Look at me!
New Skills practiced on...
A quiet moment to reflect by the water's edge.
Brother and sister quiet time... with the fish.
Bye bye - come again soon! Read more!
Saturday, May 12, 2007
Silence is golden...
...unless you are a mother. Typically silence means trouble as when I visited my neighbour the other day and ended up helping her scrub her two little ones off once we discovered why they were so silent. She was down one tube of diaper cream, they were up a whole load of fun terminated in a bath and shampoo each.
Today I was lulled into ease by the giggles coming from the three youngest, after all it is only silence or high pitched screams that require immediate investigation. Right? However, the background of water and splashing should have clued this vastly experienced mum into realizing something was amiss. Alas - I ignored the clues and continued deep cleaning my bedroom.
Finally I needed to take something to the bathroom where I discovered my error in assuming the giggles were the result of some simple game being played together. This threesome had decided to wash their feet... and about 6 inches of bubbles made me very suspicious. I can not, no matter how much I beat the water, get that many bubbles with a reasonable amount of shampoo or baby wash. One glance at the cupboard where a very soapy bottle lay innocently in the toothbrush basket did little to allay my fears. A quick handling of the bottle told all. The once full bottle was feather light and e.m.p.t.y.
After scolding them for such waste I stripped them down and tossed the three into the tub. After all there was little point in wasting all of those bubbles and I was able to get about 20 minutes more cleaning done resulting in squeaky clean children and a very tidy bedroom. It seems that 1.99 is a small price to pay for so much cleanliness... not to mention a tubful of fun. I guess the bottle of bubbles was not wasted after all. More importantly I now know to check for the cause for giggles; when accompanied by the back ground music of running water. Read more!
Today I was lulled into ease by the giggles coming from the three youngest, after all it is only silence or high pitched screams that require immediate investigation. Right? However, the background of water and splashing should have clued this vastly experienced mum into realizing something was amiss. Alas - I ignored the clues and continued deep cleaning my bedroom.
Finally I needed to take something to the bathroom where I discovered my error in assuming the giggles were the result of some simple game being played together. This threesome had decided to wash their feet... and about 6 inches of bubbles made me very suspicious. I can not, no matter how much I beat the water, get that many bubbles with a reasonable amount of shampoo or baby wash. One glance at the cupboard where a very soapy bottle lay innocently in the toothbrush basket did little to allay my fears. A quick handling of the bottle told all. The once full bottle was feather light and e.m.p.t.y.
After scolding them for such waste I stripped them down and tossed the three into the tub. After all there was little point in wasting all of those bubbles and I was able to get about 20 minutes more cleaning done resulting in squeaky clean children and a very tidy bedroom. It seems that 1.99 is a small price to pay for so much cleanliness... not to mention a tubful of fun. I guess the bottle of bubbles was not wasted after all. More importantly I now know to check for the cause for giggles; when accompanied by the back ground music of running water. Read more!
Friday, May 11, 2007
Veggie Tale Viewers beware!!
The majority of our family are meat lovers. Spare ribs, steak, sausages, ham, bacon, turkey; you name it - we love it. There was one lone family member that from a tender age was not overly fond of meat and to this day prefers a good salad to a ham sandwich. Strange, I know but there it is.
However, one of our natural born meat lovers has been watching movies such as "Chicken Run" as some of you know. Add in movie previews from the likes of "Charlotte's Web" and "Babe" and you run into a problem as evidenced at the dinner table the other night.
Four year old Emma politely refused a serving of meat and watched the others being served. Her eyes fastened on her older sister Gabriela who had been serving. Gabriela sat down and cut into her meat. Emma leaned forward and hissed to her "Do you know you are eating ANIMALS?"
The retelling of this story to me leads me to ask: "Should I be cutting back on the Veggie Tales?" Read more!
However, one of our natural born meat lovers has been watching movies such as "Chicken Run" as some of you know. Add in movie previews from the likes of "Charlotte's Web" and "Babe" and you run into a problem as evidenced at the dinner table the other night.
Four year old Emma politely refused a serving of meat and watched the others being served. Her eyes fastened on her older sister Gabriela who had been serving. Gabriela sat down and cut into her meat. Emma leaned forward and hissed to her "Do you know you are eating ANIMALS?"
The retelling of this story to me leads me to ask: "Should I be cutting back on the Veggie Tales?" Read more!
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Better late than never... is my motto!
Remember our Easter tree last year? Well this year, with the sudden deep freeze that hit us - there were little flowers left and the zero temps (32 f) made it rather chilly for the angels who were bringing the tree back to life. The little ones still enjoyed devouring the chocolate eggs hanging from it, regardless how limp the flowers became or how lopesided the tree was.But there were many beautiful moments caught on tape and I have finally taken the time to share some of them with you.
I hope you all had a wonderful Easter. And yes! I will try to change the poll soon!!
GOD Bless Read more!
"The baby ... the baby!!!"
The day was warm and the sun was out and we were experiencing some pleasant short sun showers. Miguel and I had just returned from dropping off packages at the local UPS store and he entered the house while I headed to the neighbors to see the dress she had been sewing and wanted me to look at.
I heard our front door open and close again and it was Miguel who joined me as a different neighbour stopped us and asked if we could help her mover her freezer and a few other belongings to her new home around the corner. She and Miguel headed over to her house so he could get an idea of the amount of things she needed to move and I turned back to my friend's house.
The sun was warming my shoulders and the odd drop of rain was falling on my face and nose and the contrast was striking. Suddenly, as I reached the front door step I heard a male voice calling from across the street "Baby" I paused only briefly conjecturing I really did not want to see who was yelling Baby at me, or anyone else on the street.
Again the male voice boomed out, this time with a real note of desperation in his voice.
"The baby!" he yelled. Noting 'the' I turned and as I did he yelled again; "THE Baby!!" I caught in the corner of my eye Elsa's curly red hair and her pink plaid sun dress.
She was hesitatingly crossing the very busy road we live on. She was almost half way through our side of the road and coming on that side was a car. Her gaze was intent on the other side of the road and on Miguel who was already too far away to do anything but watch helplessly. My mind went into a blur and everything around me shut down while Elsa's tiny body and uncertain steps crystallized in my mind. I was tearing towards her without even knowing I was running. My breath was hoarse in my throat and my arms stretched out to grasp her to my chest, enclosing her warm body next to my heart. She felt the fear in my body and melted into me whilst looking into my face, my terror reflecting in her eyes.
With the car closing in behind me, my feet meet the grass and then our red brick path. I continued running until I was on our door step and gasping I pulled open the front door. She did not move, but clung to me as tightly as I was hugging her. Her curls were pressed under my chin and I called out as I entered the house; "Who left the door open, who left the door open?" and then I burst into tears.
Elsa tenderly reached up and touched my cheeks saying: "Don't cwy mummy, don't cwy!" Then Emma, also concerned by my tears, attempted to force feed me french fries. (Clearly the child finds comfort in food.) We were quickly surrounded by the family all of them anxious to see Elsa and know that their darling baby sister was okay. She was and is. Thanks be to God and a young man whom I never saw but only heard who, whilst frozen to the spot, had the presence of mind to cry out the only thing he could think of; "The baby... The baby!"
I love my children dearly, but something like this really reminds one just how precious they really are to you! In the twinkling of an eye their life can be robbed from you. We never know when that moment will come and while I do want to live in fear of the loss of a child, I would do well to remember this and to guard against having regrets should I someday actually experience the loss of a child. Read more!
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