"When Olive starts walking will she need help too?"

When I spoke to my Mom tonight, and assured her that I'm OK, it's just hard, she told me Elias asked her this while they visited.

"When Olive starts walking will she need help too?"

Olive's balance and agility already surpass Elias, even though she's not yet walking, not yet a year old.

And then there's Elias, two months shy of seven, awho when I pick up and put down, I always hold onto  for a moment, until he finds his center, or I place him next to a chair or table so he can steady himself.

I do this with other kids sometimes, forgetting that they can balance on their own; and likewise friends have picked up Elias and put him back down only to see him collapse by their feet, forgetting for a moment that he needs help.

Olive stands on her own now. Up from the floor without holding on to anything.

She claps, so proud.

So easy, it seems.

And yet so hard.

Comments

[Kyla]

I'm always shocked to see little babies/toddlers walking after having KayTar. It is even more amazing that they can just stand up still...KayTar couldn't stand still until after walking for a while.

Congrats on your little one. I used to follow you at CafeMom but lost track after that...you popped into my mind for some reason and I looked you up.

[Shelley]

Maybe Olive won't need help walking, but someday she will need help. And Elias can and will be that guy on that day. My brothers help me all the time in many, many different ways.

[Kimberly]

Elias will help Olive develop a helpful and compassionate spirit. He will teach her this at a very young age. I see that in our two year old as she already looks out for Ellianna (5) and brings her a snack so Ellie doesn't have to struggle to rise and get her own. Our two year old has come and patted my back, wiped my tears with her hand, and told me, "it goin be okay, momma" as I sit a the kitchen table and cry for her older sister. This parallel grief and joy as Olive grows can really shake you and I know I wasn't prepared in any way for it in my situation. It hasn't gotten easier, but I am trying to find peace. I simply pray.