My daughter turned eight today, and had the opportunity to be baptized on her birthday! What a beautiful moment that will be etched into her memory, and mine. I gave birth to her at 10:22 am, and she just so happened to have her baptism scheduled for 10 am. Eight years ago I was giving her a physical birth, and today she was partaking of her spiritual birth.
She wore the same white, polyester dress that I wore to be baptized in...My mom had kept it all these years. I had flashbacks of when I was baptized. We were both the first baptisms of the day. But...her font was filled on time, and mine was not...hence the perpetual joke of "Laura's "concussion" by water." (My dad had so little to work with, that he was worried I wouldn't be completely immersed, so he made sure to really "push" me all the way down...giving my head a good little "knock" on the bottom of the font!)
My daughter asked that both her grandmothers speak. What beautiful words they offered. Grandma B. gave her a special bookmark for her scriptures, with all the things you promise when you are baptized. Grandma P. gave her a quilt that will wrap her in "comfort" whenever she needs it, as well as serving as a reminder that her grandma loves her, and the Holy Ghost is now her forever "comforter," available whenever she needs comfort, protection, or solace.
I was doing okay up to this point. Then came the confirmation...My daughter had asked every male relative, church leader, primary teacher, and friend she knew to be involved in this special ordinance. As this huge group of adoring men engulfed her, I was not able to see her face...but I saw it after...
She had tears streaming down her lightly freckled cheeks, and the red "blotches" that accompany you when you have sobbed. She knew without hesitation the step she had just taken...She knew her Father in heaven loved her...She knew that the gospel was true...She knew that what she was feeling was the Holy Ghost bearing witness to her...She KNEW she was a daughter of God. All this, without having to say one word.
I am so grateful for the blessing it is to raise children, and to watch them when they realize who they truly are...and all the miracles that lay before them.
My daughter wore white patent-leather flats, with a jeweled heart suspended over the strap...She is so beautiful!!
Shoes of Yolanda
5 comments:
Oh, what a beautiful, beautiful blog! Your darling Ella is 8 years old! I can't believe that! She is so very lucky to have you as her mom! Thanks for sharing a truly wonderful moment!
By the way, I am so, so, so glad you are back! It was a surprise and a complete delight!
HOw wonderful your blog was! It was just what I needed to read today. I think we can get so cought up in "life". How amazing that she is so aware. It shows your parenting. you are wonderful. Have a very lovely Easter.
How wonderful! This has set my expectations pretty high for my own daughter's big day this fall. :)
Each kid is different...My eldest son had no "visible" reaction, but talked very descriptively about it later. I think I was more emotional at one of my younger sister's baptism, than at my own! Regardless...it is indeed a day to cherish!
And by the way...It's nice to hear from you again, Suzie!!
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