She had been waiting two years, three months to eat corn on the cob.
Two weeks before her braces were scheduled to be removed, she asked if she could eat on our red "Special Plate". Had she not thought of it, I would have surprised her with it at her seat. After all, from the moment braces go on, the countdown begins for them to come off, and as this date neared for her, everyone in our family anticipated her special day.
The week before, she planned her menu–nothing spectacular, but mixed among her favorites was the one thing she wouldn’t–she COULDN’T–eat with braces: corn on the cob.
Maybe because it was tabu for so long, she couldn’t wait to sink non-metallic teeth into a hot, buttery ear; I had never seen her so excited about a meal.
While I was cooking dinner, the phone rang. A friend in family crisis, needing care for her three young daughters, and as is often the case when urgencies occur, her husband was on his way home from a business trip, still two hours away. Quickly debating the ways we could help her, she planned to drop off her girls at our home as she headed out of town.
After I hung up the phone, my husband and I realized that wasn’t the best solution for my friend, though; it would require the logistical issue of getting her child-seat appointed van back to their house, a hassle for her husband that didn’t need to be. So…we decided we should take Rachel to her house. Because time was critical (involving my friend getting to the airport on time), we had to take my daughter RIGHT THEN.
Before dinner was finished.
Before we told Rachel the plan, she was trotting down the stairs, having come to the same conclusion–she thought it was crazy to bring the girls here, just so she could eat dinner first, and she offered to go there.
I think I was the only person having a hard time with this–for everyone else it was a no brainer.
My husband headed in our friend’s direction while I made a call to let her know they were on the way, and I finished cooking. The boys joined us in eating Rachel’s hand-picked menu and the Special Plate sat empty on the counter. My heart ached a tiny bit (isn’t that silly?).
Rachel got home while I was in the shower, around 9:30. She had already re-heated the plate I fixed for her, half-way done with her dinner when I walked downstairs to the kitchen. She was eating alone.
She looked up at me and smiled her beautiful new smile, grinning because she was eating on the Special Plate. I asked her about the girls, and she recounted their cuteness, and again, I expressed how disappointed I was she hadn’t been able to eat with us. She shrugged it off and quickly I told her I was proud for her immediate response to their situation. "It’s not a big deal, Mom" and she meant it.
She declined payment when the girls’ father offered it, something I intuitively knew before she told me. This was one of those times you simply DO for others without expecting a thing in return.
For a kid of mind to "consider others" so easily? In that moment, my heart swelled like the Grinch’s, almost exploding out of my chest. For all those times I’ve blown it as "Mother of the Year"? Not that I can take credit for her choices, but for a moment, I was so proud of my daughter, I wanted to shout it from the roof top.
Instead, I’ll just blog it on the world wide web…not with pretense or arrogance, but because it’s a precious mom-moment, it’s worthy of "village" celebration :).
Robin, that is so cool. And congrats to Rachel for getting her braces off!!
That girl of yours? She shines like a gem, with or without the braces. She IS special and that should probably become her regular plate.
It’s in those moments, that a mother sits back and without an ounce of pride, thanks God that the kids have turned out okay!
Rachel Congratulations! We just started our long abysmal haul into the world of “tooth bling” where snickers and taffy, popcorn and myriad of other foods, which you know well are off the menu for years! Pray for us would ya?
(I’m glad to be a part of your village Robing, there are days I think I’m your idiot….)
And what a wonderful thing to celebrate. You have great kids.
This is definitely a moment worth remembering, Robin. I would have shared it with the world, too.
That’s one beautiful daughter!
She sounds gorgeous – inside and out. Don’t you love it when you can “brag” on your kids for making wonderfully selfless decisions like this?
It definitely is a “…precious mom-moment, worthy of village celebration.” After reading this story, there’s nothing else that needs to be said about that. You should be proud of her and the things you guys have helped instill in her. She is precious!!
Dear robin. that’s such a sweet story. You guys must be very proud parents.
this gives the moms of the preteens hope for the future, Robin, thanks.
monica
You should be proud of Rachel. It sounds like you are raising a wonderful kid.
AWESOME story. I pray my daughter (who is six right now) will have that same heart as she gets older. What an encouragement.
You should be proud of the work God is doing in your “baby.”
She’s a great girl. Well done! I’m proud of her and I’m a complete stranger! 🙂
Oh I know just how you feel, and for one so young to have such maturity is just amazing! I had tears in my eyes reading that, you have such a way with words, I was feeling your every emotion.
Congratulations to you both and I hope she finally got to eat that corn and enjoy it too! Now where is the photo of her new beautiful smile??? (Mind you I kinda liked the old beautiful smile too!!!)
Parents like you and children like your daughter are why I have faith in the future of our country.
Thank you.
What a beautiful post:).
xo
Great story!
Mine’s getting hers ON this summer. Tradeja!
um, makes me think that this post: http://pensieve.typepad.com/pensieve/2008/06/divine-appointm.html – may have had some influence on her!! you are doing an awesome job raising such a wonderful daughter!!!!
She is so sweet! You don’t find that in many kids her age these days! Congrats to you and hubby for doing she a GREAT job with the fam! =) GOOD PEOPLE ARE HARD TO COME BY!!!!
Now I’m sitting her at 10:45pm on a Friday night wanting corn on the cob!!!! YUM-ERS! Thanks Robin!!!! =)
Congratulations Mom, you just got your paycheck.
Claudia, I’ve “known” you a l m o s t as long as Rachel’s had braces!
Shalee, what a SWEET thing to say!
Tammy, is it okay if I giggled at your comment? Yes, I felt your “new braces in the fam” pain, but the rest of it? too cute :).
Kelly, I thought of you and PTT when I finished writing that–glad you saw it!
Jeanne, mama’s “get it”, huh?
Heather, 🙂 she is where it counts most….
Karen, yes, ma’am.
Peculiar, well, we have enough of the “hard” times, so I love to celebrate these :).
Dear Little Miss Moi…most of the time ;).
Monica, when hormones fly, just buckle your seatbelt. It’s a bit bumpy, but navigable. 🙂
Karmyn, ya know? She’s off to a good start :).
Kelly, I remember thinking that when my baby’s were little and a friend was talking about her children. You reminded me of that :).
Chili, hey, you’re part of the “village”, too…not a complete stranger :).
Karisma, get this, my sad little point and shoot battery died on our way to the ortho–we’ve been busy ever since, but if she’ll consent, I’ll try to post :).
Sandy, YOU build me up like no other…thank you for your always generous, kind words!
TLG, thank you :).
Carol, would it hurt your feelings if I said, “NOTTA CHANCE!”?
🙂
Beth, I LOVE it when someone remembers something else I wrote–thank you!!!
Jeannie, lol, you crack me up!!!
Min, I came “this close” to saying that–a “mommy paycheck”…. Great minds?
A bit late coming in here, but how proud you must and should be!!!
hug her once for me, too.