Jul
7
2012
Sunshine In The Strangest Places
Posted in Family Life 4 Comments
She was born in a heat wave.
It was the summer of the centennial celebration of the Statue of Liberty.
My second child…due the day before my birthday, but born eleven days early.
Ready to meet the world.
Look at her hands…Look at her long fingers…
The first thing my husband said after seeing his second child…his second daughter.
Those hands would reach out to many in love and compassion.
Those long fingers would one day masterfully play the violin.
She had short hair as a little girl…styled after a famous ice skater.
It suited her.
She loved colored “twisties” in her hair.
She had one little ponytail right on the top of her head.
She didn’t suck her thumb, but rather her two fingers as she twisted her ponytail.
Often, she wound her hair so tightly, her finger would get stuck.
She had a favorite bedtime song…You are my sunshine.
Thus, the nickname…Sunshine.
It has remained all these years.
When she was too old for lunch boxes, I drew a sun on her lunch bag.
Mornings were busy…five children…five lunches…I would sometimes forget.
She would ask later…Are you mad at me? You forgot to draw the sun on my lunch bag…
To this day, I still draw a sun on her cards and envelopes.
It fits her.
When I got my first cell phone, it seemed state of the art…at the time.
It was large and bulky, but it was a connection to the children if I was running errands once they were old enough to be home alone.
I remember the first day I had my phone with me as I was food shopping.
It rang as I was waiting in line.
Sunshine was on the other end.
I’m cutting the grass and the tractor is stuck on the hill…
They all had their chores.
When they were old enough, they learned how to cut the grass on the tractor.
There was a slight hill at the end of our driveway.
My husband told them all to avoid the hill, if they felt uncomfortable.
He would cut that part of the grass later.
Apparently, Sunshine thought she could handle it.
That’s okay…Dad will cut the hill later.
No…you don’t understand…the tractor is still there.
My sneaker is under the wheel of the tractor.
WHAT? (I felt helpless)
Is your foot IN the sneaker?
It was the only thing I thought to ask…standing there in the grocery line.
The people around me began to stare.
No…I turned it off and put the sneaker there so the tractor would not go down the hill.
First of all, they were not supposed to use the tractor when we were not home…but that was another issue we would deal with later.
Ok…get back on the tractor and drive it down the Gallagher’s driveway.
Back then, we had neighbors…right next door…with the same last name.
I can DO that?
I can ride the tractor on the street?
Yes…drive it up their driveway, and down our driveway, and you will be fine.
Ok. Love you…
She hung up.
I wasn’t so sure that I liked having a cell phone.
On the one hand, I was there when I was needed.
On the other hand…a sneaker under the tractor…while I’m at the grocery store?
It is one of those family stories you tell over and over.
It’s part of our history.
Sunshine is now a teacher…first teaching kindergarten…and then second grade.
She loves her children and they love her right back.
She is right where she is supposed to be…not a career…but a calling.
Her children are not just bodies in a desk.
They have souls that she cares for…and prays for.
She understands when they do something, that to an adult, seems absurd.
She did those kind of things, too.
She has never forgotten what it is like to be a child.
Let the little children come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it. (Luke 18:16)
Today is Sunshine’s birthday.
The beauty of a family is that everyone has their own unique part.
All those parts make up the story.
You can’t erase any one person from the family picture.
If you did, there would be a terrible void.
As part of God’s family, we each have our own unique part.
All those parts make up His story.
We need to tell His story, so others will know…so they can be part of His family, too.
When one is not there on the last day, there is a terrible void.
And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of all that He has given Me, but raise them up on the last day. (John 6:39)
Hands of compassion.
Faith of a child.
Happy Birthday, Claire.
I love you, Sunshine.
This is so beautifully written for such a beautiful friend. So thankful for both of you! Happy Birthday Claire! I LOVE YOU!
I am blessed to have you in my life.
You and Claire have a wonderful, forever friendship.
It is a joy to watch!
My kitchen has a special seat just for you…
(right next to the M & M’s)
Many good talks happened there !!!
You are loved, Katelin.
Mama G
Thank you for this mom!! I love you very much!!
You are welcome, Claire.
Always know how deeply you are loved.
MOM