The first time I saw Bailey, I knew I was in love.
She
wore purple leggings and a white, sparkly sweater. Her little tan
boots were embellished with fringe in a Native American style. She had
dark brown eyes. Her mother had styled her full and lush hair into
perfect ponytails. Purple bows were attached to each one. Truly, she
was an adorable five-year-old!
I was picking Camren up
from school that day--the day I first saw her. I walked into the
brightly lit and happily decorated classroom and scanned the squatty
tables for Camren. I watched as Bailey excitedly ran towards him and
yelled, "Camren! Camren! Do you want to meet my baby brother?!"
I
saw a baby boy--comparable to Bridget's age--toddling towards Bailey.
Camren stretched out his hand and tenderly patted him on the head.
"He's so cute," replied Cam in a high-pitched voice! Bailey giggled,
Cam grinned. It was the sweetest thing.
I've learned a
lot about Bailey since that day. I've learned she often runs to greet Cam
when James drops him off in the morning. I've
learned she leaves letters and hand-drawn pictures in Cam's cubby for
him. She's always happy to see him. She wanted to stand beside him in
the class winter program. (They were the only two who jumped and danced
during the performance of "Jingle Bells!")
Bailey
doesn't mind that Camren doesn't speak well. His quirks and
idiosyncrasies don't bother her. Young children are so beautifully
innocent and unconditionally loving like that! Bailey doesn't see Cam's
learning disabilities, his sensory seeking behaviors, his Asperger's,
or his social struggles. She just sees HIM. She sees her friend.
Vincent Van Gogh was a brilliant and notable
Post-Impressionist painter. His works are among the world's most
expensive paintings ever sold at auction and in private sales. They are
known for their emotional honesty; "Starry Night" being the artist's
depiction of how a night sky feels. Van Gogh's paintings are known for their bold colors, and according to one art critic, "their rough beauty."
(Rough beauty. I love that. Like children with special needs. Challenging. Abrasive. Bright. Beautiful.)
And
it was Van Gogh who once wrote, "Close friends are truly life's
treasures. Sometimes they know us better than we know ourselves. With
gentle honesty, they are there to guide and support us, to share our
laughter and our tears. Their presence reminds us that we are never
really alone."
As 2014 closes, I think about the people in my life and the relationships I have established. My heart sings with an honest love of people, and my lips whisper prayers of gratitude for friendship. The type of friendship Van Gogh wrote
about--one that stretches beyond the standard and becomes a gift, a
blessing, a miracle, a treasure.
Bailey is as sweet as you describe her, she gets it from her adorable wonderful mom. I'm glad she is part of your life too :)
ReplyDeleteMy dear … I just love you … your heart and soul! Meeting your your gorgeous radiating self at Blogher … was such a highlight for me!
ReplyDeleteI send you and yours much love and prayers for a most abundant and loving New Year!
xoxo
Tamera
She sounds like an angel sent just for him. I do believe that there angels amongest, sent to use just when we need them most. Happy New Year. 8th like your blog. This was my first visit.
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