My Olivia Grace

While looking at the pictures in the last post, I was reminded of one particular day when I watched Liv and Jamie playing together. It was beautiful and inspiring. I was so moved by her that day that I wrote this as a note on my Facebook page. I'm happy that I did. Reading this note always brings back the same feelings of joy, warmth, inspiration, pride and love that I felt that day.

I have the best daughter in the world.

Everyone who has a daughter says it. Some say it the day she is born. Others say it the first time she smiles or the first time she laughs. It's truly amazing to hear your daughter's first giggles. Others say it when she comes home before her curfew or when she dances her first dance with her new husband or when she looks a certain way and it reminds you of a loved one who has passed. It's my turn to say it tonight.

This afternoon I put Jamie in his new seating system on the lowest setting - putting him at eye level with Liv. Immediately he begins to smile. He loves his sister more than I can even begin to explain. And then she starts playing with him. My God, my heart melts. She is a blessing to this family. I've never met anyone quite like Olivia Grace. She has the patience of a saint at age 3 (3 and 3/4's if you ask her) and has never lost them while dealing with James. She is wise beyond her years and her imagination extends far beyond the furthest point that I, myself, can possibly imagine. Her heart is completely full yet somehow never seems to run out of room for new people. I can not put how amazing this little girl is into words. I knew it the first time I saw all 3 pounds and 10 ounces of her. She is my miracle baby.

Liv is very bright and I know that, by now, she has figured out that James isn't quite like the other boys and girls his age. I know she watches the other little ones run around and talk to each other. I often see her glance Jamie's way as if trying to figure it out on her own. She never asks. I don't think a medical answer would matter. It wouldn't change anything. I also watch the other little ones. Usually, I'll wind up watching siblings interact. There's a beautiful and natural progression to sibling rivalry. However, when it comes to my children, there's none. None. Olivia has never raised her voice at James. She has never bossed him around, told him "no" or hit/pushed/pinched him. She has infinite patience with her little brother. Instead, she sits through every therapy session. Every doctor visit. Every visit to the lab for levels. She waits. She cares. She watches.

I think Miss Liv has figured out, with her amazing toddler mind, that if she teaches James to play, she'll have herself a new best friend. I've listened to her tell him stories and sing him songs. I've watched her kiss and hug him. I've also started seeing her try to teach him the very things his physical, occupational, and cognitive therapists do every week. I think James learns best from Olivia. I recorded a little bit of it today on video. I caught her taking him by the hand and showing him how to use a toy. How to make it work. How to make it fun. It was inspiring. Children are amazing little creatures. I hope that the pessimism, cynicism, and greed in this world never change my girl. She has "it", however you choose to define it. I choose to define it as the best daughter a mother could ever, ever dream of.

I have the best daughter in the world.

Liv, Summer '10