Wonder

‘Ooo, I believe, fate, fate smiled And destiny laughed as she came to my cradle Know this child will be able Laughed as my body she lifted Know this child will be gifted With love, with patience, and with faith She'll make her way, she'll make her way.’

- Natalie Merchant

Years ago, I was driving alone in my car and it hit me: That lyric reminds me of my daughter. And like magic, it stuck. It indelibly became a refrain that plays in my head when I look at her. This child, as strong as she is sensitive and as fierce as she is compassionate, is a wonder. And she keeps me on my toes each and every day.

Some days she amazes me with her appearance. With her piercing blue eyes and effortless beauty, she garners comments everywhere we go. People tell her how pretty she is, and she shyly smiles, but deep down I know she doesn’t relish the attention. She’s humble and proud, but she’s not vain in the slightest of ways. I envy a cool confidence like hers. And I pray she never loses it.

She amazes me with her intelligence. At just 11 years old, she knows so much and teaches me new things every day. Whether it’s through her articulate way of speaking, or presenting a plethora of facts on any given topic, or a saying or expression that I’ve never heard (and yet, she uses them in the appropriate context), she’s so, so smart. She’s going places, and I can’t wait to see where she ends up.

She amazes me with her body. She’s strong and healthy and capable of running with an ease that I’ve never had. Born 8 weeks too soon and with a few physical issues that had the potential to impact and limit her, you’d never know it from looking at her. She takes everything in an enviable stride. And interestingly, that stride mirrors the strides she takes as a runner, a love she inherited squarely from her Daddy.

And then there’s her wit. Quick and clever, Blu keeps us laughing and amused. I think she gets her humor from my father and I often tell her how much she reminds me of him. It’s really special to see him shine through in my child and when they’re together, lots of silliness ensues.

Truth is, I’m blessed. And some days, I don’t feel worthy of such a remarkable child. But I do know that she was handpicked by God just for me and I am so, so thankful to get to mother her, love her and share her with the world. And I’ll always believe that fate smiled and destiny laughed on the day that her heart captured mine.

This morning she came to me and asked me to blow dry her hair. Now that she has this adorable long pixie cut it requires a bit more attention in the mornings. As I helped her, she noticed that she’s now taller than me, as my arms were extended with a paddle brush in one hand and the blow dryer in the other. But as I surveyed the situation, I conceded that she wasn’t wrong. She *is* officially taller than me now and it’s my incredible honor to watch her grow. What a long way she’s come from that 5 pound and 18.75” inch mound of perfection that I birthed 11 years and 7 months ago.

Surely she must be one of the wonders, of God’s own creation... 💕