Happy Birthday, Precious Greta!
On Saturday we celebrated our daughters because they are so amazing and deserve it! Because their birthdays are only two weeks apart and grandparents have a bit of a drive to get here, we had a double birthday party. Plus, we thought it fitting that these two tenacious sisters should celebrate together. Both girls have learned so much from each other. Kajsa has developed a deep compassion and empathy that goes way beyond her age. Her strong spirit has inspired Greta to work hard and model her hero sister. Not a day goes by that she doesn't play nurse, doctor or therapist with her animals, dolls, and yes, little Greta. Almost daily she announces that when she is older she will be one of the above profesionals, and I have no doubt she will if this is her desire. And then there is Greta. Her hopeful and sweet spirit teaches her older sister patience and endurance. Countless times Kajsa has witnessed Greta accomplish things that she opposed or detested. All in all, these sisters have supported and encouraged each other throughout their first year together at home. They both deserved a celebration.
Our birthday theme was based on a card a nurse gave me while Greta was really sick that awful spring. It read, "Just when the caterpillar thought the world was over, it became a butterfly." I still have that card hanging on our van's visor. So we had two cakes. One was a butterfly and the other of course was the caterpillar. Both created by our very artistic, nurse Mindy. It was also a fitting theme because Kajsa had a butterfly farm this summer. Both girls were delighted with the cakes and loved their party. We had family, good food, games, presents and lots of laughter. It was a great celebration!
Tonight I'm finding it difficult to look back two years ago. I remember it quite clearly, the way the room smelled, Mark's voice on the phone in the corner, the sharp contractions I was desperately trying to ignore and the sickening fear that threatend to overtake my exhausted body. I remember meeting her for the very first time and refusing to cry when I saw how small and fragile she was and trying to grasp the magnitude of the situation only to return to my room to wail and mourn with Mark. I remember it all and anticipate I will never forget it. Even though Greta's birth story is marked with mostly painful memories, I do recall one sweet memory. After she was born, on the nurses white board in my room this announcement was written, "Happy Birthday, Greta Maj!" For a few fleeting seconds, I allowed myself to dream of a little girl tearing into birthday presents, laughing and giggling at everyone and surrounded by family. I remember yearning for that day with every fiber of my body. It was the first time that I grasped the real meaning behind the word hope. And here we are today celebrating our little girl's second birthday--a dream two years ago that I barely allowed myself to entertain. The other day the girls were watching Cinderella and it was the scene where the fairy godmother was granting Cinderella her ultimate wish--a trip to the Ball. The fairy godmother admonished Cinderella with this, "Come on child, even miracles take a little time!" Yep, I agree, even miracles take a little time.
"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." Rom. 12:12
