"When I was pregnant with my youngest daughter..."
I really don't begin stories like that too often - leaving the listener assuming Glory is at home arguing with her older sister about whose turn it is to play the Mermaids game on the iPad. Most of the time I am telling Glory's story from the beginning through the time she went to heaven and how her life changed mine.
But yesterday I stopped short of explaining. Why? I don't know. No mention of her illness. No indication of her only having half of a heart. Giving no clue that my youngest daughter had already fulfilled her purpose and moved on to bigger and better things.
Now that I think about it, the story was really about me - surprise. It was the story of how I first knew Glory was coming. The story about how I drove into the Braum's drive-thru one afternoon and ordered an orange sherbet freeze instead of a chocolate milkshake. The story about how I began to crave everything orange-flavored, but didn't want an actual orange. You know - orange #5 dyes and artificial flavors - those things. Orange Fanta, Orange Crush, Orange Sunkist. I perfected an Orange Chocolate-Chunk Pound Cake - and it did include actual oranges that grow on trees (REALLY yummy recipe - I can give it to you if you're interested).
When I was craving orange-flavored sodas I had no clue I wouldn't be holding the tips of her fingers while she took her first steps. Or buying her first backpack for Kindergarten. So I just continued my story...but only I knew how my craving for orange dye #5 (or whatever it is) was the beginning of a most amazing journey...one with no end. Have I said that before? ;)
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| Boxes and bags of items that you gave to be delivered to the Arkansas Children's Hospital CVICU...thank you beyond words!!!!! |
