When Your Little One Isn’t So Little Anymore

by Lois Flowers

Before I started this blog last year, I had a conversation with my college roommate—a dear friend who has been reading my writing for more years than I care to count. Knowing my love of the Associated Press Stylebook, she wondered if I would abandon journalistic conventions and adopt bloggy techniques like putting periods after one word for emphasis.

I had no intention of ever doing that, nor have I actually done it. Until now.

Molly in leaves

This week, my little Molly turns 11. And the only way I can sum up how this makes me feel is this: Simply. Not. Possible.

I had no such thoughts when older sister Lilly turned 11. She’s always seemed mature for her age and attacks everything she does—including getting older—with such intensity and determination. Plus, she was the first, and I suppose feelings are naturally a bit different when the baby of the family hits similar milestones.

Whatever the case, I’m having some trouble wrapping my head around the idea that my sweet little girl—who is still sweet and little in so many ways—is 11.

Ten didn’t have the same effect on me, it being such a nice, round, even number and all. But 11? I know the next odd number will be here before I can blink, and while that thought is actually kind of exciting, it also makes me a touch nostalgic. (OK, maybe more than a touch—who am I kidding?)

I wish there were some way to adequately describe this daughter of mine, some collection of words that would convey exactly who she is and how she operates. Maybe I’ll start with some observations her wonderful second-grade teacher included on progress reports throughout the year, such as:

“Molly has a sweet personality. I love to hear her giggle/laugh.”

“I love it when Molly gets excited about something.”

“Molly seems to have many interests.”

She nailed it, this teacher. Thankfully, she’s one of many educators Molly has had who didn’t make snap judgments about how quiet she seemed at first, but instead took the time to understand her personality and encourage her gifts.

Now, about those interests. A quick perusal of Molly’s birthday list sheds some light on that topic. The 42-item list (yes, you read that right) includes “a bathroom in my bedroom,” “a pet pig,” “a box of Lucky Charms,” “a remote-control flying airplane that is mechanical, with camera” and “plywood and other types of wood, enough to build two or three things.”

All this, from a girl who loves pink and has what could possibly be considered an unhealthy obsession with Barbie videos. (I promise, I’m not making any of this up.)

If you were to ask Randy to describe Molly, he wouldn’t hesitate for a second.

“Molly is awesome,” he would say, just as he as said to her many, many times.

And he’s right. She is awesome, and she knows it.

Not in an arrogant, “look-at-me, I’m-better-than-everyone-else” sort of way, though.

She simply believes her dad and trusts that what he says about her is true.

That’s why she signed a recent birthday card to Randy in this way:

Love,

Sweet daughter

Molly

Can your heart actually hurt because you love someone so much?

Yes. It. Can.

Lois Flowers

We have a winner!! Beverly from Ontario won the drawing from last week and will receive a free copy of my book, Infertility: Finding God’s Peace in the Journey.

P.S. I’m linking up this week with Grace & Truth, Kelly Balarie at Purposeful Faith, Jennifer Dukes Lee at #TellHisStory and Holley Gerth at Coffee for Your Heart.

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12 comments

Betsy de Cruz December 12, 2015 - 5:33 pm

Happy birthday to your sweet Molly. Forty-two things on her birthday list! That girl’s got things to do and places to go. You’d better hang on for the ride! 🙂

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Lois Flowers December 13, 2015 - 12:10 pm

She does and I am, Betsy! Have a blessed week!

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LisaAppelo@TrueandFaithful.net December 11, 2015 - 9:50 am

Your Molly is precious! I have an 11-year-old as well and I’m fine with that. Just cannot handle 12. ::sigh:: Enjoy celebrating your beautiful daughter!

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Lois Flowers December 12, 2015 - 12:01 pm

Twelve does come with certain challenges, doesn’t it? That’s definitely making me appreciate the stage we’re in right now! Thank you for your kind words, Lisa!

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Dolly@Soulstops December 9, 2015 - 3:57 pm

Happy Birthday to sweet, talented and awesome Molly 🙂 Hey, our names rhyme. You’re very blessed to have such loving parents and they are very blessed to have you. Wow, 42 items…it’s great you feel the freedom to ask and to trust your parents will pick what is appropriate…and Lois, I can relate…they do grow up so fast and only have one.

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Lois Flowers December 10, 2015 - 8:30 am

Dolly, I showed Molly your comment and I could tell she was pleased by it (it’s sometimes hard to tell with her, but Mama knows). 🙂 She was very happy with the items we got off her list … it’s such fun to watch delight unfold on her face! Thanks for your sweet comment, and have a blessed week!

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Trudy December 8, 2015 - 1:39 pm

Happy Birthday to awesome Molly! She looks so sweet in the photo. I now look at my grandkids and shake my head in amazement that they grow up far too quickly. When you said how Molly believes her dad, it makes me think of how God wants us to believe we are special to Him as He says. Thank you for the encouragement, Lois.

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Lois Flowers December 8, 2015 - 4:26 pm

I love how you caught the double meaning behind how Molly believes her dad, Trudy. 🙂 I used to hear people say kids grow up quickly and not really understand what they meant, but now I think I do! Blessings to you today!

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Linda Stoll December 8, 2015 - 8:21 am

Oh what a sweetie, Lois. Go ahead and buy her that pet pig!!

It’ll be fun! Promise!

;-}

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Lois Flowers December 8, 2015 - 11:35 am

I’m sure it would be, Linda! 🙂 Fortunately, there are plenty of other gift options on her list that are more appropriate for a house in our subdivision!

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Suzy Taylor Oakley December 8, 2015 - 6:45 am

What a wonderful picture of Molly — the photograph AND the description. She IS an awesome little girl.

And happy birthday to Miss 11-year-old!

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Lois Flowers December 8, 2015 - 11:39 am

She was about five in the picture, but she still loves to play in leaves! And I have to ask … do you ever use one-word sentences (that aren’t really sentences) on your blogs? 🙂

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