BJMH

The trauma lingered in my memory as I prepared for the birth of my second daughter. I was fearful and hopeful and held my conflicting emotions and all of the anticipation with completely surrendered and open hands. Then she took that September night two years prior and flipped the script entirely. She came bursting into this world quicker than a doctor could catch her. She was tiny and perfect and tender and we laughed and wept from the overflow of the joy our hearts could not contain. The day and days following her birth are some of the sweetest in my lifetime. Redemption has a way of taking a good enough thing and elevating it to magnificence. She often cried through the nights, but I had the perspective of a second-time mom and I didn’t mind the lack of sleep. I soaked up every cuddle, every feeding, every sniff of her freshly bathed body. I knew how quickly time would steal that season from me; I had no time to wish it away. Her babyhood was laced with ease. She was so content and always followed my lead. She was quiet and calm. Her smiles were only shared with the closest of her companions, and even as a baby she had a coy way about her. Oh how she has filled our home and our hearts with joy! An irresistible toddler (as, admittedly, most are), we began to see more of her fire come alive. She had convictions and a temper I had not contended with in her older sister, and had only experienced in those early sleepless nights of crying. She was sugar and spice and ranged both extremes of the emotional spectrum. I loved her for it. Her body grew, and so did her personality. We endured a couple of tough years of learning how to navigate such huge feelings - with plenty of equally sweet memories intermingled - but she, in her relentless stubbornness, continues to learn how to prevail over them. I’m not sure any accomplishment of hers has made me more proud - although we’re both still growing. She is delightful and winsome, bringing an air of leisure and contentedness to our home. She continues to be full of conviction and passion, which sometimes unexpectedly bursts out of her in ways she is still learning to tame, but I remind myself often how well that energy will serve her one day. She doesn’t seek the approval of anyone, but chooses who she approves of. Her natural persona just happens to be fabulous - it’s her innate inclination. She loves to lean into her femininity, always choosing the girliest, most sparkly, and whatever makes her feel beautiful. But she doesn’t have to try to be lovely - she is radiant and I often admire her effortless beauty when she doesn’t know I’m looking. She is beloved by many - magnetic really - reserved and polite when in new situations, a force to be reckoned with at times but the most compliant at others. Her name means “God is satisfaction, God is gracious,” and He has lavished us with His satisfaction and grace through her life. I love her to the ends of the Earth, my Bettye Jean Magnolia.