Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Hello & Goodbye

Today I said goodbye to my sweet baby girl. She started out small, so dependent and incapable. And today I said goodbye. 


Today I said goodbye… to little fingers wrapping tightly around mine, as if holding on for dear life and knowing no other security…to the smacking sounds of a pacifier that soothed this baby each and every night…. I said goodbye to "Hold you!" and "Ma - ma"  and the crinkling sound of a diaper as baby crawled swiftly across the floor…. 


Then, as I was shedding tears in the sorrow of my loss, in the blink of an eye, I said hello to a Beautiful, Independent, Strong and Amazing Young Lady who was standing before me.


I said hello to a girl who rises with the sun each day with energy and joy, gets her little self dressed on her own, and comes running to our room yelling, "Good morning Mom, Good morning Dad!"

I said hello to a girl who helps all the time, with excitement and enthusiasm. (Even to scoop dog doo, without being asked!)


I said hello to a girl who is proud of her baby sister and cares openly for her EVERY DAY.


I said hello to a girl who hums and sings through the most mundane parts of the day.


I said hello to a girl who likes to ask people questions about themselves, and remembers their favorite color, in order to associate things with them and share their excitement when she sees their color.


I said hello to a girl who is starting to say "Please" and "Thank you" & "How was your day" because it's the right thing to do.


I said hello to a girl who demands to lead the family in prayer at meal-time because she is getting to know her Creator and the way He provides for our needs.







I said hello to a girl who is beginning to understand the power of positive words and the danger of negative words and will correct herself humbly and appropriately.
And every now and then, when this girl falls down, or gets her feelings bruised, she will run to me like that little baby who I said goodbye to, showing me that she had never left… she had just grown! 


Happy 4th Birthday Savannah Grace Winters!
You are a GIFT from GOD and we love you very much!


10 comments:

  1. Beautifully written, Rachel! It makes me swallow hard when I think about how fast they do grow. Even though my little one is only 5 months old, I do realize how precious this time is. Also, how quickly it goes.

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  2. Wow! You express yourself so beautifully!

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  3. enjoy your blog. great pictures and poem. life seems to be good in texas. god bless.
    love to all
    terry/susan

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  4. Rach ~
    wow ~ beautifully written, I can feel exactly what your heart feels and I don't even have children.
    But I did take care of you for a time as a wee one, and remember diaper noises, and clutching little fingers, I remember the gurgle of bubbles rising up to the top of the bottle, informing me I was feeding you correctly, so you wouldn't get too much air. You are a love. Happy birthday Savannah Grace! You were born into a a grace filled family; may you flourish.
    PS...my favorite color right now is: YELLOWS!
    Luv, Aunt Dotti in Tucson

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  5. Happy Birthday to a beautiful litte girl who has a WONDERFULLY AMAZING MOTHER & FATHER! Savannah is a lucky little girl to be born into the AWESOME family she has! Much love! Linda Phillips
    P.S. I'm so proud of you Rache!

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  6. Where did my comment go? Blogger sometimes doesn't like me! I read this and cried last night. It seems like yesterday my sweet girl was 4. Time goes way too fast! You are such a wonderful mommy!

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  7. Rachel,
    This is just beautiful. I am envious of your eloquence. What a treasure Savannah will have to look back on when she is REALLY grown. I am SO looking forward to my visit next month. Can't wait to see you!
    -Sissy

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  8. Thanks for the update! Both of the girls are growing up so fast. Wish we were able to see them more often. Savannah is becoming quite the little lady. She will keep you on your toes for a long time!!! Happy Birthday Savannah! Hope to see you soon, Trudy/Art

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  9. Rach-
    Your words gave me goosebumps! Savannah is so lucky to have parents like you and TJ, and I am so happy to see the beautiful girl she is growing into!
    Congrats on the celebration of her 4th bday... Happy Bday Savannah!!
    -Melissa M

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  10. i remember you as that little girl.
    love you,
    dad

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