Four Candles on Her Cake, Five Hearts Wrapped Up for Her

When R and I decided to have our last child, there were times I thought I was nuts. Everyone was physically able and trained to clean themselves and get their own drink and here I was starting all over again. But, I wanted to be pregnant one last time. I wanted to deliver (with a full epidural catheter stuck in my spinal column, too) one last time. I wanted to feel my breasts swell with life giving substance and sustain and grow one last child on the milk of my body. It was a delightful pregnancy and once that epidural was loaded, a perfect labor and delivery.

As we tossed around names, the fourth daughter that we conceived grew fat and healthy in the utopia of my womb. I liked Emma, R did not. He likes strong, but classic feminine names and he felt that Emma wasn't the person wiggling in my body. So, one spring evening, after children were in bed, R and I were outside. I suggested a name. His eyes lit up. "Yes, that's the name." After presenting it to the parents and the children, we all agreed. Her name means "pure one" in Greek, and that she is. She came out and immediately captured our hearts. She is sweet, thoughtful, witty, sensitive, and kind. I have frequently said that she was the perfect way to close the show. Thanks, God, for the last act.

Happy Birthday, K, from us all. We love you so very much.

To the tune of "Be Thou My Vision:"

She is so very small, Lord,
There's not much she can do.
Keep her as she grows, Lord;
May she grow in You.
She is so very small, Lord.
Only You truly know
Who she's becoming.
Lord, keep this little soul.