People often ask us if she's "always this happy?" If my husband and I are together, you'll hear a resounding "Yes!" in choral style. And then, if I'm completely honest with myself, I think about the not so great moments. The ones people don't typically see. The ones when telling the truth seems to be less appealing in meeting her needs. There's even a certain look that comes with them too! She clearly incriminates herself and yet thinks she's smooth as can be. There's also the times she becomes desperate in being noticed or heard, and then tries to get attention through "unacceptable" ways. The times when I contemplate how much is related to early abandonment issues or attachment hurdles. These are all examples of those times when "happiness" pretty much comes to a temporary halt. Although, Ellie has also been known to skip while being sent to her room to think about her questionable actions, or has enthusiastically read books when toys have been taken away for a time. Insert the parent's conflicted "Ugh!" It doesn't seem to matter. The joy somehow seeps through in spite of her challenging situations. So we too flexibly embrace the gift of this resilient fruit of the Spirit every single day, knowing that the world around us desperately lacks in its company. We embrace it as she naturally emanates the sheer gladness our Heavenly Father wildly heaps on us for strength and comfort when we find ourselves depleted of both. She is a perpetual gift. She is pure joy. And in honor of this Ellie exuberance, may God's unrelenting and eternal Joy seep through the difficult places of your life this season as well!
Lessons & Carols School Program
Christmas Dance Recital
A Visit With Santa
Making Christmas Cookies
Christmas Eve
Christmas Day
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