Friday, September 11, 2015

Charleigh Turns 5



Charleigh Evangeline,

I can scarce believe you are five; then again, you've been five for the longest: so articulate, so deep, so mathematical.

I love you for the hesitancy of your smile and the abruptness of your laugh: how the corners of your mouth ease up like the morning sun, while your laughter isn't, then is, like a lightbulb snatched bright by a string.

I love the sashay in your walk. I love the power with which you pounce and tumble, earning bruises from ill-execution but rarely crying. I neither love nor understand how, in your continual gymnastics, your heel tends to make accidental contact with my face. But I will always remember how, of my four children, you're the one to make my very teeth rattle.

I love how you wear us down with argument. I love how you throw a punch like a boxer. If you ever go down, it will be fighting, and may you be a soldier of the cross, Baby Girl.

I love the clammy, firm grip of your hand when it holds mine: how your fingers don't lie cool, velvety, and unfurled against my palm. I love how your voice will likely never ring out clear and bright as a bell and most likely never on key, but arise always from a place lower than the heart, snagging a bit in your throat.

I love how you are confident, and un, by turns. I love how so many of your weaknesses are mine because I am years ahead of you in learning to overcome them. I can teach you; I can help.

You will be great. You already are. I'm so glad you're my little girl.

Mama


 




12 comments:

  1. LOVE HER and these pics , especially the last two.... they say "charleigh" to me all the way.... still need to celebrate her, maybe I will send her a surprise package in the mail or something <3 hmmm

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    1. Aren't you coming over with a laptop?

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    2. I don't have it.... E is picking it up after he gets off work.... and bringing it , K said side is cracked too, so I am not sure I have to see it first if it is just the screen YES I will come by over the weekend or beginning of week, whichever works out for you and us (its Eric's birthday monday) but yea, gotta see it... maybe extra $$ for you and Jim and happy Kelly (hope so)

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    3. but STILL may send her something in the mail kids love mail

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  2. Happy Birthday to Charleigh!

    Agree with Elizabeth, she's a natural beauty, and sounds like a real pistol!

    Wonderful photos!

    :-)

    -Andy

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    1. Thanks, Andy. I've been thinking about you a lot. Hope you're doing okay.

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  3. Arms crossed, slight smile, love that you caught that which seems to be so Charleigh.

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  4. I love her hair longer! And these pictures are just DA BOMB. Happy Birthday, Charleigh!

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    1. I had "straightened" it for the later photos, but it was so humid that it had already started to curl back up. It's amazing how long it is when it's wet: all the way down her back.

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