Sisters

9/4/2016
5:12 AM

I never had a sister growing up.

I had friends and I had plenty of brothers.

But I never experienced the bond I am now privileged to witness.

Nora is clearly Gwen's favorite. She looks for her anytime Nora talks. Many a nursing session has abruptly ended simply because Nora says something.

Nora was the first to get a big long lasting laugh from Gwen. 

If I use my stern voice with Nora, Gwen will whimper and cry.  And today after Nora tripped on our walk and scraped her knee, Gwen's face said it all as Nora cried. Her eyebrows showed her concern and her eyes glassed over as she clearly looked right at Nora. 

And Nora has come to adore Gwen. She is constantly coming up with new nicknames for her. And she loves to make Gwen laugh. She is hugging Gwen and will grab her head to turn it to find her if it's taking too long. 

Nora hates it when Gwen cries. When Gwen got her first shots Nora cried just as hard and longer. Whenever gwen gets fussy I will ask Nora if she thinks she is hungry or tired and quite often she gets it right.  And if I'm putting the girls to bed alone and Gwen is crying as I tuck Nora in, she won't want to go to sleep until I go take care of Gwen.

These two have such a connection, such kindred spirits and love.  I pray earnestly that this bond continues.  I would love to continue to watch this friendship deepen.  

I dream of the day I will listen to them play together, their giggles matched, their dancing synced, and their smiles mirrored.  

Before each one was born God gave me a promise of who they would be.

Nora would bring joy and be an honor to parent. Just as her name means.

Gwen would be a blessing.  And she has fulfilled that day after day.

God knew I thought boys were in my future, as they have been prominent in both our families.  But he knew what we needed, and who I needed.  Two incredibly wonderful little girls that not only make me content and happy but a better person as a whole. 

I love this parenting thing. Its surreal and ungraspable at times. And yet the greatest gift I could have ever imagined.