I wonder how often beauty sits waiting, a miracle in our midst, so precious, yet so easily overlooked?
I pondered this thought in the early morning hours, driving to work, and still half asleep. Yet even in my grogginess I had spotted the canvas of sky painted pink, and dotted with whispy, differing splotches of white. I marveled at the sunrise stretching across the sky, and somehow my day seemed better because of it.
The day before I had found it while sifting through my daughter’s closet; fallen in the floor it had been forgotten. Pushed between the wall and the accordion door rested a newborn sleeper in baby pink, and I held it in my hands. So soft, so small, with lavender angel wings stitched on the back. On the front in purple, cursive stitch it read, “Mommy’s Little Angel.”
Had my big girl worn this once upon a time? Mommy’s little angel.
As I sat in the floor perplexed by the tiny article of baby clothing, and wondering where the past two years had gone, I heard my name being called from the kitchen.
“Momma? Me. Open.” Her musical voice carried across the house.
“Momma’s coming.” I called, and I stood quickly, but not before folding the little, pink sleeper, and slipping it into my robe pocket.
How had a newborn baby suddenly learned to talk? I wondered, and as I rounded the corner her smile and wide eyes greeted me.
When did my chubby infant learn to walk, much less climb? I asked internally, but the only answer I could see was a gap-toothed grin with fine, white hair covering a large, hazel eye.
My daughter sat in her chair smiling, holding a package of fruity snacks. “Momma. Me. Open.” She called between giggles.
I stood in awe and wonder. How did my baby get up in that chair all by herself? Wasn’t she afraid?
I was. And my hand slid involuntarily into my robe pocket, clutching for the sleeper like I might find the answers there. Like within that small section of soft, pink fabric I might locate the answer to why babies grow up so quickly. I was afraid it might keep charging swiftly, my enemy time, and I tried to hold him captive as I stood staring at my almost two year old girl.
When did this happen?
When did my baby stop looking like a baby? When did she outgrow that sleeper, and when did she start sleeping the whole night through? It seemed like a long time ago, and I watched as she spoon-fed herself the breakfast cereal I had fixed, not even spilling a drop of milk.
The moment passed like they seem to do, like quickly moving sunrises and sunsets, each day just as precious, but different nonetheless.
And later that night as I sat beside my husband, trying to put off going to bed, I watched my daughters playing together. As I took my spouse’s hand I watched the culmination of our love spinning in circles together upon the rug, giggling loudly, and dancing like their life depended on it. Jolly music played, they laughed, and they moved to the beat without a care in the world.
At the sight of little miracles dancing right there in my midst, spinning across my living room floor, I felt my life was full. I knew I couldn’t stop babies from getting big, but I could notice each time they danced. I could capture their childlike waltz on the pages of my heart, and press it there for safe keeping always.
I couldn’t make small, pink sleepers fit again, but I could marvel at my growing girls. I could notice each day like the priceless miracle it was, and hold it so tightly, as long as it would allow.
That work morning as I drove past the expanse of ever-changing horizon I smiled at God’s miracles displayed before me every day. And I thought what a shame when we miss them, when we miss the precious beauty that is right there all along. I drove past with new resolve to always keep my eyes open wide. For sunrises, sunsets, and dancing, growing girls.
ruthiespage says
its like traveling at warp speed. Here today and for me a granddaughter who is 16! How did that happen?!
brieann.rn@gmail.com says
It’s so strange! Sometimes my first being born seems like yesterday, but then it seems so long ago. Perhaps because God has changed me so much since then. 😉