Growing up I knew I wanted a lot of kids. I pined away for them.
And somehow in all my pining I could have never guessed that four of them would be girls.
But here I am, four of the most beloved women right here in my family. (Oh I am so incredibly grateful for my one son, which makes me tear up right here and now to even mention, and that he chose yet another jewel of a girl to marry bring into the mix, but that is a post for another day.)
For today I just want to slink back to January, after Max and Abby had to leave and while I still had all my girls under one roof. Dave and I stole them off to see Little Women together.
And that was a good show.
But the thing I loved the most about it was looking down the row at those faces framed by scraggly hair: my own four little women all lined up in a row, their beautiful faces glowing from the light of the movie (but even more of the glowing, in my opinion, comes from within them). I sat there so overwhelmed with gratitude that they are mine and I am theirs.
Forever and ever.
And that just like in that movie, they have each other.
From volleyball cheering sidelines:
To college pairs:
To sunset pairs:
Oh there’s fighting and drama, that’s to be sure. But love reigns.
For as long as I can remember they’ve had each other’s backs.
From enduring my photo-practice ideas:
To matching outfits:
To shouldering together so many of the things that come along their way.
From first days of school:
And “showing the way,” both physically and spiritually, and “full-of-lovingly”
Appreciating new beauty in nature:
Someone to have your back when you’re just plain sad:
And to throw their head back with you in jubilation when you are just so darn happy:
To exploring new places:
Even when you’re grumpy:)
They have been there to show each other the walks of life, big and little:
And delight in the beauty of the world:
Oh I am the luckiest to have these little women, and maybe they’re even more lucky to have each other.
There have been a few days this last week when Lucy has been in a world of misery. She doesn’t want to talk about it, even to her counselor. It is difficult to be a teenager, hormones raging, no matter which way you look at it. But I can only imagine the deeper depth that comes when you’re losing your vision right along with all of that.
And the thing that has blanketed our house with comfort and beauty has been these little women. I hear the gloom transform by a FaceTime call, for over an hour, Elle and Lu talking over Legos in her room. She comes out smiling and happy. A hop in her step. And then again when Grace FaceTimes her, making her laugh, asking about little details I don’t even know living right here next to her. And then Lucy coming home from a class last week, her list of “gratefuls” starting with “my amazing sister Claire” who has always had her back.
Right now they are still skimming the surface of the beauty of being part of that team of Little Women. Maybe they will never fully grasp it all. But deep inside they know it. They belong to each other. Yes, God gave them to me, but I think even more importantly, he gave them to each other: a team of Little Women made stronger together than apart.
AW the sweetest. I’m one of three girls, and I swear, they are my BEST friends, forever.
I have 5 sisters. No one has my back like they do. They are my very best friends.
Unconditional love is as necessary for life as oxygen 🌈 – and when it comes from your contemporaries – siblings and cousins – it’s coupled with a deep understanding that’s cosmic.
Beautiful post.
You know how to make me cry, Shawni. A beautiful post.
Truly beautiful! I pray my 3 girls (and 2 boys) will always be each other’s best friends, cheerleaders, shoulders to cry on, and adventure buddies! God is so good to give them each other!
❤️❤️
Beautiful post and I loved all the pictures of sisterly love. <3
I have one daughter and four sons, and I loved this post! My daughter has always longed for a sister, and anticipates the day one of her brothers brings home a gem of a girl to add to our family. It’ll be here soon, I’m sure of it!
I have twin girls and sometime wonder if they even like each other! But down deep I know they LOVE each other and will be there for each other! Also, please tell Lucy is looking beautiful (inside and outside)! She is really starting to look like a teenager and it’s not easy!!! Thanks for always sharing!
Be right back, I’ve got to go call my sister!
Wow! What fabulous photos! Where has all that time gone. The expressions on those faces are priceless! Made me cry!
What beautiful girls you have!!
Precious! Makes me wish I had a sister.
So sweet. Enjoy
see this happiness so happy!