October 24 – “Ball Walk”

Cailyn heard that Uncle Jerry was back in the hospital the other day.  Her response was to honor him by making him the object of her choice for playmate of the day.  What did that look like?  She became a doctor.  Chris became her patient, some guy named Uncle Jerry.  That is until Doctor Cailyn needed a nurse.  Then Chris took on that role and one of the stuffed animals became Uncle Jerry, er, the patient.  It’s amazing just how long she can stay focused on a play sequence like that.

The last few days she has been fixated on our photograph album of pictures from her Mom and Dad’s wedding.  She will go through that book time after time, making comments like, “Ooh, Mommy’s dress is so pretty.”  Or “Why did you talk to Mommy and Daddy?” (I was the officiant).  Or “Remember this dance, DadDad?” (Said like she remembers it like it was yesterday).  Or “Why are those boys picking up Mommy?” (One of the photographer’s suggestions for a photo op was to have the groomsmen all hold April like she was lying down).  The one that confused me for a long time, though, came when she spoke dreamily about “Mommy is wearing her bride on her head.”  I assumed she was referring to the tiara-like headband April was wearing.  I was wrong. 

See, she began playing “ball” again with Chris.  Oh, and by the way, she mentioned playing ball to her Mom, and April wanted to know if she was a better catcher or thrower.  Great question, Mommy … for a little boy.  I would certainly have asked the same thing.  But back to the girlie version of “ball.”  Cailyn insisted she had to have a “bride” of her own.  I thought surely Chris would come up with some kind of paper crown decorated with crayons or maybe glued-on glittery stuff.  But no.  See, Chris understood the whole “bride” concept.  It seems Cailyn had been referring not to the headband in the picture, but to the actual flowing veil that the tiara was attached to.  All Chris had to do was grab a washcloth and some hair pins and, voila, Cailyn had her elegant “bride.”  And was she ever proud of it.  So excited, in fact, that she insisted they go on a “Ball Walk.” 

So here again, my understanding of the meaning of such a thing was severely hampered by my general ignorance of all things “little girl.”  What in the world was a “ball walk”?  Taking a stroll down the street with a friend while playing catch?  I have done that many times.  Maybe getting one of those huge playground balls and trying to walk on it and get it to move along?  Sounds like lots of fun, but somewhat impractical, and highly unlikely to be anywhere in the realm of experience for our three-year-old little girl.  When it became evident what a “ball walk” actually was, I was very pleased that Chris was the one invited.  The two of them (by now Chris had her own “bride” proudly pinned to her head) pretended to hold up the long trains of their gowns with one hand and took an actual walk down the sidewalk.  In the front yard.  Right next to the street.  Where all the neighbors could see.  That was a sight to behold.  It almost ranked right up there with what I was invited to be a part of (at Chris’ suggestion, I might add).  I had the honor of being the prince and dancing with my little princess out there on the sidewalk.  And then we fell backwards onto the grass (so glad I have fought to get rid of stickerburs out there).  That was when Cailyn looked at me with a grin and said, “When I grow up, I’m gonna marry you, DadDad.”  Of course my heart melted.  And of course that’s going to be a problem when the time comes, because word has it she also promised that honor to her Daddy.  Well, Cailyn, I’ll settle for a dance at your wedding.

Psalms 34:19-20 says, “A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all; he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.”

Father, thank you for fantasies and promises and “brides” and “ball walks.”  Amen.