Sep 26 2011
Where is my husband?
Stalling Songs
At night before I leave Annada’s room I ask her if there are any more songs she wants me to sing or anything she wants to talk about. Until recently she was all about the songs and I usually had to put a limit on the number of “last songs.”
She would dictate elaborate stories and then ask me to turn them into a song. Usually the stories end with her pushing cousin Isaiah in the grocery cart to get sprinkle cookies at Publix. The baker gives her both cookies, but she decides to share with Isaiah.
A few days ago I was helping Annada put her baby dolls to bed. I started singing to one and Annada stopped me.
“She’s already sleeping,” Annada told me.
“Oh, I was singing her a goodnight song,” I replied.
“No mommy, there are no goodnight songs, only stalling ones,” she said.
Annada is flying around the room as Princess Stellaluna. It is a combination of Cinderella and a baby bat separated from its mommy.
Let’s Talk About You
Recently, though Annada has started telling me “we need to talk” or “there is something I need to talk with you about, Mommy” when it is time for bed.
A few nights ago Annada and I had talked for about 20 minutes when I told her I would “see her in the morning light” (From Tot Fox).
“No, mommy. Mommy, I need to talk with you. Talk with me Mommy!” Annada called out desperately.
“What do you want to talk about?” I replied.
“Let’s talk about… let’s talk about… let’s talk about…” Annada was clearly searching for something worth keeping me there. “Let’s talk about.. let’s talk about YOU Mommy!”
Meeting My Husband
Tonight Annada said, “Let’s talk about Grandpa.” She’s been asking to talk about Grandma or Grandpa the last few nights.
“Why do you want to talk about Grandpa?” I asked.
“Because he is my husband,” Annada replied.
“Grandpa is not your husband, he is your grandpa,” I answered (brilliant logic, I know).
“Daddy is your husband, so Grandpa is my husband,” Annada replied.
“You haven’t met your husband yet, Annada. You will meet him when you are bigger,” I said.
“Who is my husband, Mommy?”
“I don’t know, Annada. We can pray for him.” (We stopped and prayed for God to bless Annada’s husband.)
When we finished, Annada stood up in bed, “He is waiting for me!” she exclaimed. “He is waiting at the airport. But I won’t go now. I need to be bigger.”
Annada paused.
“He is excited to see me. I will drive to go see him. I will drive and then ride in a plane.”
Annada laid down. My heart was aching, both because of the beauty of Annada’s happy innocence and knowing the journey to her husband may not be smooth.
“Mommy, tomorrow can we go visit my husband? Not so he can be my husband. We can just play together.”