Sophie, tonight: “I’m so glad I’m your daughter. I just feel like we have a really special bond.”
Some women live lives hoping to hear that sort of beauty, and there it was, pressed gently into my hands and heart by a beautiful eight-year-old girl who makes me believe there must, there must be a God. I struggle with the paradox of such beauty and such sadness. I don’t know why they live side-by-side as uneasily as they do right now. I want to believe I will heal, in time.
But for tonight, I will take those words and wrap myself in them, and sleep, and sleep, until we all must begin again tomorrow, another flawed, funny, exasperating day.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
You’re such a lovely mom. Thanks for sharing your story with us.
I know all about the healing power of daughters.
Hang in there.
What a lovely thing for her to say. And that you appreciate the moment is the best part.
You must be doing something right. =)
Love it!
I don’t think I have ever heard a child say that to a parent. I had a good relationship with my parents, and it would never occur to me to say that. You guys must have something special.
What a wonderful daughter you have and what a wonderful mother you are.
Sometimes only a daughter knows what a mother needs to hear. I’m blessed with two little girls too… sometimes just witnessing the love between the two of them is enough to make all the worries of life disappear. And then to be the subject of their affections, well that is divine.
I have heard it said (I forget where, or by whom) that you can only be filled by happiness to the extent that you first are hollowed out by grief.
Your girls are sure good at filling you up, as the happy part of the paradox.
Sigh.
Sometimes they just speak truth so simple it stuns.
She is lucky, very, very lucky, to be your daughter.
xo
Perfection. My youngest said this to me yesterday, “You’re a really good person.” Sometimes, daughters ARE little gods.
She’s a darling and she speaks the truth. A special bond, indeed.
OMG! What a marvelous thing for Sophie to say! Loved the way you put this: “I will take those words and wrap myself in them.”
gods turned to God – that is good.
The only thing my 8 year old said to me yesterday was, “Why are you watching the Bachelor?” No hint of pride.
your Sophie is a hell of a girl.
dare i say, she takes after her mother?
Yes, yes! Aren’t children wonderful? You can’t help but believe in God when you look into their innocent faces.
Oh, melting here.
Those words are the gift of motherhood, right there.
What an insightful little thing! Well, her too, of course.
Truly, you are blessed. God must’ve known just what you’d need when he gave them you…and you them.
that is a gift. Keep the box.
Perfect words.
Apparently, you two do, “have a really special bond.” You can see it in her eyes. There are those rare and special moments that ever so gently pull us out of ourselves and into our children’s reality.
So beautiful. Thank you for sharing this.
Sweet. Love this.
Beauty.
That would send me off to a lovely sleep.