Cecily Kate

Today I was thinking about my 13 year old granddaughter, Cecily Kate. She has such a sweet spirit, and she always warms our hearts with her smile. Grandpa and I are always saying how precious she is to us, and how much we love her.

When Cecily was little, she was a live wire! She would run and squeal with excitement, and sometimes it was hard to catch up to her. When her sister Anna was born she had to be flown to Ks. City to Children’s Mercy Hospital to have heart surgery shortly after birth, and my daughter Lynnette, her husband Kyle, and Cecily and their other two kids, Jared and Abigail and my husband and I all stayed in the Ronald McDonald house there,…in one big room. I think we were there for 10 days, and during that time I spent my time taking care of Cecily. We formed a special bond during that trial.

Cecily was an adorable little girl with an energy that was hard to match. I had recently gotten over pneumonia and was kind of low on energy myself at that time, so in the afternoons I would go back to the room and take a nap with Cecily while grandpa and the two older kids occupied themselves in the game room or watching a movie, or going down the street to the park. I would tell her a story and sing little songs to her and try to get her to go to sleep. Sometimes I was successful and sometimes I wasn’t, but I enjoyed that time with her whether she slept or not. We would cuddle and giggle, and I loved it.

When Cecily’s little sister Anna was about 9 months old she had to have another heart surgery and she spent three weeks in the hospital and had a close call with death, but Anna recovered and came back home to us. We were all so thankful. During that surgery we stayed home and kept the kids at their house. That was another bonding time with Cecily Kate and her siblings. The kids gathered eggs from the chickens everyday and my husband over saw the milking of the goats, as Jared and Abigail did that. John did it too, and I strained the milk and found ways to use all of it.

Over the years Cecily and Anna were inseparable. They did everything together, and were wonderful friends as well as sisters. 4 and a half years ago Anna’s heart gave out and she suddenly left this world to be with Jesus when she was just 6 years old. This was so hard on everyone in the family,…but I think Anna’s death left a big gap in Cecily’s life because her playmate was suddenly gone.
God was so good to Cecily to give her grace enough to carry her through that time.

It was amazing the way that Cecily tried to comfort her family, and she would hug her mom and tell her,.. “you still have me”. Grief was a process and each of them had to deal with it on their own, as well as together as a family. And they all leaned on each other and on God to get them through it. And we did the same. God was so faithful during that time,.. and He remains faithful and true to His promises.

I have written this story many times before in different posts, so I won’t continue more on that subject, but I just wanted to acknowledge the depth of sorrow our Cecily has gone through at such a young age. The Lord has given her a quiet strength.

Cecily became a Christian and got baptized and it was a special time in her life. God had a hold of her heart and her life in a big way. And He still does.

Cecily loves her little brothers and helps take care of them. She is always holding Harrison and watching after him. He is very attached to his big sister. He will be two in July, and he likes to climb on things and play outside with his bigger brothers Silas 7 and Jonas 5. Cecily helps keep and eye on all of them when her mama needs her. I am impressed with her mothering skills. She reminds me of myself at her age, as I helped care for my nieces when they were little.

In fact, Cecily kind of looks like I looked at her age. My brother mentioned that one day and I agreed with him. It is fun to see yourself in your grandchildren. (Smile)

Cecily has mellowed out over the years. She is calm and quiet much of the time. She hangs out with her older sister Abigail and her mom a lot and they have girl’s day out sometimes. Cecily is a home body and likes to stay close to mom and dad and her siblings. But sometimes she likes to spend time with Grandma too.

My husband and I often go on vacation with Cecily and her family and we enjoy that time with her, as well as her siblings. We are glad that they are nice enough to ask us to join them. In fact we are planning another trip in September.

I look forward to some quality time with Cecily Kate and her family. It is hard to believe our girl is a teenager now. Time just seems to fly by these days! We thank God for her and for the joy she brings to our lives.

Linda~~~ May 2009