21 and 364 Days

At the beginning of this month I took a part-time job at a day school working as an assistant to 2 year olds to help make ends meet. The first day I walked in, the Assistant Director commented that I looked terrified. Truth be told I was. After all, I hadn't even been around a 2 year old in 16 years. That's a really long time, and I am not 34 years old anymore, but then she said something that was so true, "You'll be fine! They just need some extra loving." I have now been working there for 3 weeks, and I adore all of them. It thrills me when they see me in the afternoon and run to hug me, or hear them try to pronounce "Miss Terri" in their sweet little voices. They are amazing in what they do, and I marvel at how smart they are and how quickly they learn things. It has also make me think of my own daughters who are way past two but still my babies. One of those babies will turn 22 tomorrow. 20 years ago, she was the two year old. , and I was a stay-at-home Mom, and I was teaching her the alphabet on a Magna Doodle. I can remember sitting in the living room in the big ice blue recliner drawing each letter and asking her what it was, thrilled when she got it right, even when I mixed them up. I was already so proud! She was so gracious and thoughtful of others. At her 3 year birthday party dressed in a little red dress from the Disney Store with Minnie Mouse on the front and her long brown hair tied back in a half ponytail she was walking around the room with a bowl of potato chips almost as big as she was telling each guest, "Everyone, have a chip." I had taught her to do impressions, yes, you read that right, impressions. Mrs. Doubtfire saying "Helllooooo", Ray Charles, rocking back and forth saying, "Georgia, Georgia," and my favorite Clint Eastwood. We would say to her, "Do Clint Eastwood," and she would close her eyes until they were slits and say, "May my day!" She was good as gold. In fact, once I left her in time-out for 30 minutes because I got a phone call and forgot she was sitting there because she was so quiet and still. She has always loved Disney movies. My hand to God, when she was 3 months old, she laid on her stomach beside me on the couch and watched every frame of Beauty and the Beast. Anytime she was upset, all I would have to do is begin singing, ♪♫ Little town, it's a quiet village. Every day like the one before...♫♪ and she would immediately stop crying and just stare at me as I was singing. Now, tomorrow she will begin her 22nd year on this earth. So much has happened in these last 2+ decades. I am so proud of her still. She began her Junior year in college this year as a Theatre major and has already been cast as one of the leads in the Fall musical. She's really talented, and she knows what she wants, and I know she will go after it, and if anyone will achieve their dream she will. I mean, she has to, right? How can we waste such endearing talk show fodder for an interview? I can't wait to see what's around every corner for her, and I am so glad she lets me be a part of the ride! Happy birthday, Leanna Moore! Mommy loves you!