Most time as we evaluate our lives and think about such moments we are reflecting on memories and past events. Occasionally though you realize smack dab in the minute of one such moment that you are there...a moment that takes your breath away...and you are living in the moment that you know you will remember. This past weekend I had one such moment. I was gasping for air, choking back the tears, and trying to lock the picture in my mind.
Baby H had her first birthday party last Saturday. Where did that year go? Of course we would be there to celebrate with our sweet friends. With the hubs out of town it was a little bit of a juggling act but we managed to get to the party and I knew Cupcake would love the time with her sweet friend Joshua. If you've been stalking my blog for any amount of time, you know that Cupcake and Joshua have literally be around each other since they were in the womb! Joshua's Mom is one of my dearest friends and we've been blessed to walk through some fun life stages together.
So back to the party...it was so well decorated in a precious butterfly theme. Children were everywhere with screams of joy, toys being played with, babies shaking rattles, boys outside with light sabers, and balloons floating. Cupcake has a love/hate relationship with balloons. She loves how they dance in the wind but once lost one to the sky and has been sensitive about them ever since. Lucky for her the balloons at this party did not have helium....so there was no risk in loss, right? She was playfully tossing a pink (her favorite) balloon back and forth with Joshua's grandpa. She was giggling with joy when suddenly the balloon popped in her hand. She both hates the loss of a balloon and hates loud or startling noises. Pair that with being sensitive to missing her Daddy and massive tears ensued. I tried to snuggle, tried to reason, tried to kiss away each elephant tear that dropped from her sweet checks all to no avail. Sometimes you just need space.
Other times you need the one friend who knows you better than anyone. The friend who has been around since as long as you can remember and even before. The friend who you love and trust even when you are sad. I guess this was one of those times.
In the midst of fun and party chaos Joshua noticed my tear struck girl and dropped his current musing to be at our side. He rubbed her arm. He told her it was ok. He went and found another balloon to offer it to my girl. When that didn't work, he went and got a juice and offered to sit with her on the back patio. Reluctantly Cupcake agreed. Juice is a yummy treat and it was a little quieter outside. Out we go....
On the couch Cupcake drank her juice between sniffles while Joshua lovingly stayed by her side making sweet conversation. It was in those moments that I found myself gasping for air. I was trying to lock the picture as Cupcake's forever friend slowly talked her down for the ledge of 3 year old sadness. I never wanted to forget the sweet closeness they shared. The way he was looking at her. The way her tears melted to calm and eventually giggles. It was pure, precious, and a gift from God to see these sweet friends. Then a few days later an email arrived from Joshua's Mom. Apparently while I was gasping for air in one of life's moments that take your breath away....Joshua's Dad was snapping pictures.
Can you see what I saw? The perfection of young innocent friendship? Thank you God for special friends. Thank you James for capturing the moment I didn't want to forget.
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