Sparkle and Shine

Claire has been on my mind. Who am I kidding, these kids of mine are always on my mind! It's funny, but pre-kids, when I'd hear a love song, I would think of Chris. Now, I hear a song and it reminds me of the three bright eyed children who have stolen my heart and run away with it.

I heard a song today and it was all about my Claire. Oh yeah, were you wondering why I've had Claire on my mind? It's because lately, Claire has been worrying. A lot. I'd like to blame it on Chris' genes, but if you've read my blogs in the past, you'd know I was a chronic worrier. I've been able to keep it in check with prayer and running. But apparently I passed down the trait to Sweet Claire.

What could a child who isn't even five be worrying about?? At less than five years old, Claire has the world on her shoulders. I wish I could carry that weight for her. It would be so easy for me to hold her burdens, but life doesn't work that way. My Baby has to find her way in this great big world.

Claire worries the kids at school don't want to be friends with her. I look at Claire and the lyrics from the song today dance around in my head. Baby, don't you realize?:

My baby sparkle and shine
Sparkle and shine
Sparkle and shine
And everyone knows she's fine

Claire worries that I don't love her as much as I did before Mads and Max came. Silly Claire. Don't you know? You have this special place in my heart. You fit perfectly into it, my sweet Baby:

She blesses all that she sees
A toss of the hair and a kiss in the breeze
But she don't love no one but me
And I can't believe she's mine

Claire worries that Kindergarten will be too hard. Yes, Claire has trouble counting to 20 sometimes, but any teacher who has Claire in her class will be gifted with a kid who will: sing her heart out in front of the class while playing air guitar, will try her very best without complaint, will say funny things like: exception! and my tummy beeps when I run too much, is brave enough to spar her karate teacher, and doesn't know the concept of being self-conscious and therefore will seem brave beyond her years. Sweet Claire don't you know?:

Shimmering she moves
Sunlight all around her
Even when she's blue
Silver clouds surround her

Claire worried aloud one day: I don't want to get married! I don't want to leave you! Sweet Claire. You'll find your way in this world. Maybe you'll get married. Maybe you won't. I do know, any man would be beyond blessed to call you his wife. But even I don't want to think about that right now. Instead, I want to enjoy you in this moment: as I see you grow, sparkle and shine:

Anywhere she goes
I can only follow
She'll be there I know
When I awake tomorrow


Barbara LeGere Photography
I'm breathless 'cause she's so cool...

*lyrics by Steve Earle, Sparkle and Shine