Oh my enigma, wrapped in Abercrombie & Fitch and an impossible fountain of dark curls. My small girl, lovely in her bones, lazy to their marrow. Where is my eyeliner? My earrings? Your shoes? All lost to the chaos vortex you call your room.
You, the confessor, your small transgressions erupt to your surface like tiny hot geysers. Your heart is a gyroscope and rights you when you’ve tipped too far. You, stubborn and proud, oh elephant girl, never forgetting. You, singing in the bathroom to your bright mirrored self.
Here’s my secret: You shine brightest in my heart, my girl.
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Comments
When Lula was born (in Switzerland, that backwater lump of land), strangers would inquire whether I wasn't "too disappointed" in having had another daughter.
I always replied, "Are you kidding? I was PRAYING for another girl."
Thank you all. Kind words indeed.
It makes her laugh.
(thumbified for reminding me that my daughter is going to steal my eyeliner soon.)
But I read this and thought, right away, I want my mom.
This is spectacular---so animated--so filled with love.
My first thought: I hope your enigma knows how lucky she is to have a mother who loves her---not only this much---but in this way---there is a difference.
Procopius, thank you. She's very much 14, "between a fish and a bird," as we used to say. But lovely and charming and sweet. At least when she is.
Donna, high praise indeed! Not sure I deserve it, but thanks!
m.a.h. the thing about daughters is, they seldom realize how much we love them until they're holding their own daughters in their arms for the first time. But the thing is, the loving is so much more rewarding than the being loved, that it doesn't matter one whit.
It's interesting how different cultures value different genders. While awaiting adoption in China our son was treated like a little prince. Our daughter was warehoused - just another unwanted girl child.
"Oh, Child and mother, darling! Mother and child!
And who but we? We, darling, paired alone?
Thou hast all thy mother; thou art all my own."