Lucy is one year old today. Happy Birthday, Lucy Ruth!
She’s in that cute stage where she reaches out for things that she wants. Typically, her reach is accompanied by a grunt, as if to say, “gimmie that!” On Sunday morning in church, as I held my bundle of energy (not unlike wrestling a cat), I couldn’t help but observe her noticing something. Unlike other parts of the service, she wasn’t reaching for the guy’s coat in front of us or the bag of mini-marshmallows his four-year-old son was inhaling one by one (which was hilarious, by the way).
No, Lucy watched intently with a twinkle of excitement in her hazel eyes and she outstretched her arm. But what was she grabbing at? There was (seemingly) nothing there. She was stretching her short arm towards the ceiling of the beautifully high-pillared church. Confident and poised, she definitely wanted what she saw.
With the sun shining beautifully through the stained glass windows, her eyes glowed with wonder. For a moment I tried to sneak a peek, looking in the reflection of her eyes to see if I could catch a glimpse of what she was seeing. Could it be the dancing of angels? Were they entertaining her? Were they singing? Was it a breathtaking sight? I wanted so badly to see. Sadly, I realized that my eyes are probably too old to see what little newbies like Lucy are privy to.
Whether you have faith or not, it was undeniably obvious that Lucy was reaching out for something. The hardest, most cynical, crustiest Adultitis-ridden grown-up could argue that she was simply reaching for the ceiling. This could be true. However, I’ve never seen her reach for a ceiling before. That same grown-up could argue that she was just being silly, looking at nothing. However, as her mother I would argue that Lucy’s eyes were far too engaged and mesmerized to be looking at “nothing.”
I think little ones are on a different spiritual plane than us adults. They experience life and see the world through new eyes, through eyes of possibility, bliss, and love. Since their lives are free of junk (sin, guilt, and fear, to name a few) they are still able to see things that the average grown-up no longer can.
What a gift to be in the presence of one of these little spiritual bundles of life. Lucy, whose saintly namesake happens to be the patron saint of those who are blind, helps me to see life in a new way every day. In a world filled with criticism, deception, skepticism and anxiety, the look in Lucy’s eyes on Sunday reminded me that there is something to be hopeful about. There is more out there than our eyes can grasp.
As we celebrate her first birthday, I am so grateful for the light she brings to my heart and for the hope she instills within me.
A hope that reminds me of the day when I, too, saw angels dancing at church.
A hope that assures me that I will get the chance to dance with them someday.
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It is amazing when they do that. When you just know they are seeing something that you can’t see. Thank you for the story, I never thought of it as the possibility of angels dancing. I will think of it that way from now on I am sure.
Oh and a very happy birthday to Lucy.
It’s fun to think about what types of dances the angels might be doing. Are they line dancing? How about the chicken dance? Or maybe some beautiful ballet? Thanks for the well wishes for Lucy’s birthday!
Angels among us…they are, aren’t they Kim! And children, not jaded yet by what the world tells us is “right”…see things through their eyes (and hearts) of truth (and wonder). That sounds like a pretty awesome view of what “is”. I’ll be dancing with you and all the other angels someday…
Happy 1st Birthday Lucy. Continue to be amazed by the wonder of our creation…
Yes, angels truly are among us. It’ll be fun to dance with you and the angels someday, Lance! My hope for Lucy is that she may keep this wonder alive and well, long after she becomes a grown-up. I know that’s your wish for your kiddos too!
Happy Birthday Lucy!! Kim, thanks for sharing a beautiful post…I especially like this line, “Lucy, whose saintly namesake happens to be the patron saint of those who are blind, helps me to see life in a new way every day.” Well put. Have a great day!
Thanks for sharing your nice comment. St. Lucy was one amazing young woman. It’s sure neat to learn about those who went before us who lived out their faith in extraordinary ways. Lucy had a great birthday. Thanks!
I think you are totally right about little ones and their connection to
Divinity…they’re minds are not at all clouded with doubt…the reach for the mystery…embrace it with the gaze of their eyes and their tiny fingers and arms outstretched. Happy Birthday Lucy! May you always see with eyes of awe!
Laura
What a great comment! Thanks for your wonderful wish for Lucy! She is so blessed to have thoughtful people, like yourself, sharing such heartfelt wishes on her special day. Kids have so much to teach us. I wonder why we’re always so focussed on teaching them? Take care!
Happy Birthday Lucy! (And congratulations, Mom & Dad, for surviving that first year!) LOVE the story. Jesus says we have to be like children to truly experience the kingdom of God – how right He was!
Yes… surviving this first year has been a blessing. Ironically, she’s moving backwards in the sleep department due to teething issues, but who could blame her? That must really hurt! It’s great to have these little ones in our midsts, for they have this faith stuff all figured out. Us grown-ups sure like to complicate things, don’t we? Thanks for your birthday message!
Wonderful post Kim, thanks for sharing :)
And a very happy (if slightly belated) birthday to Lucy. Glad to hear she had a great day. And congrats to you and Jason for survivng the year as well.
Thanks for your nice wishes! Yes, the first year of parenting was a mix of pure blessings and purely surviving. Sleep is so overrated!
She’s a doll. WOW! This is a neat post. I’m glad you were able to observe hee and had the quietness of heart of think that way about what Lucy might be seeing and then share it with us. If only I could always be so quiet. And yes, if only we could see with the eyes of our childlike heart, I’m sure we’d live every day far differently.
Thanks, Libby. I agree – a quiet heart is hard to come-by. Lucy is teaching me about the importance of this quietness. Enjoy the childlike magic of the holidays. Great hearing from you!
Well, my first thought when I started reading this was, “ceiling fan” which always mesmerized my kids. But I like your interpretation way better!! She’s certainly a cutie!
Yes, Lucy sure loves ceiling fans too! Thanks for your nice message!
I must admit I have been so busy lately that I have not been up on my Kim & Jason reading. But for some reason I read you post and what a delight. Thank you for this story it is a wonderful gift, to remember the eyes of a child especially during this the greatest season of the year, when a child God comes to visit his people. Merry Christmas everyone!
Great hearing from you, Dennis! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. Lucy is pretty darn good at helping put things in perspective, as I know your kids are too. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Dang it, I missed celebrating Lucy’s birthday! I’m sure she lived it up in grand style! Happy birthday little baby Lucy! Some day you’ll look back and wonder who all these people are that wished you a happy birthday, and then you’ll understand what an amazing impact your parents have had on so many.
Merry (almost) Christmas too to Lucy, and to K&J too! Hope to see you soon!
We should be the ones saying, “Dang it”… looks like, from FB, that we forgot your birthday. Hope it was awesome!!! You and Lucy share a magical month for a birthday. Thanks for your super sweet message!! Hope you get to enjoy this awesome time of year with your favoritest people. Hope to see you soon too!!!