Sara, what a fulfillment of a dream you were to my 11-year-old heart. My best friends and classmates Carolyn and Sharilyn had baby sisters. I had none. I remember longing for one with all my heart. Then one day, Mom took me aside and with shining eyes told me that I would have a baby sister or brother. I was ecstatic. I remember riding to school that day on the old bus, “the crackerbox” and my heart was light. I had something special to tell my friends today. Wouldn’t they be surprised. I remember gathering them all in a huddle before I made my big announcement. “Girls, guess what?” “What?” they all said, eyes wide open. “Mom’s having a baby.” I’m not sure what I expected them to do, but if I remember correctly they didn’t seem all that surprised. Why should they be? At least Carolyn had several younger siblings and what was so special about a baby? “Oh, you have no idea how it will be,” Carolyn said, shaking her head, knowingly, “You won’t be excited for long. Babies are sooooo much work.” I didn’t care! I was going to love my little sister or brother and I would work overtime if it meant I could have a baby in our house like the rest of my friends.
The night of your birth, I don’t remember if I knew exactly what was going on, but I do remember seeing the doctors’ and midwife’s car in the driveway before I went to bed. I was awakened by Dad coming upstairs and telling me, “Laura, you have a little sister. Her name is Sara Jolene. Would you like to come down and see her?” Sara…the name sounded strange to my lips. We hadn’t had any new names in the family for six years. I thought I was going to like it. I hopped out of bed and grabbed my hot pink housecoat and headed downstairs in the middle of the night. There was mom propped up in bed with a little bundle of dark hair cradled in her arms. I remember leaning over you and mom smiling tiredly and saying, “Do you want to see her?” and the wonder I experienced of sweet little you. I felt so grownup when Dad allowed me to stay up with our hired girl, Mary Kropf, to watch you the rest of the night. Now, today, I realize that Dad and Mom were probably exhausted and were glad for a reprieve. I sat on the big recliner and rocked and rocked you, suctioning out your little nose and mouth several times. I knew I would never get tired of you.
And I had a baby to proudly tote around after church now, to show off to my friends, and she was mine, all mine. I don’t have so many specific memories of your babyhood, but I do remember that many times I had to chose between doing jobs for mom and taking care of you. I always chose babysitting. I suppose you were a bit doted on, but who could blame us? We had prayed and prayed for a baby.
I remember you loved to mimic. One day, we found a tiny covering out in Smith Seed’s parking lot. What fun you had with that itty bitty thing. It was just like big sister Laura wore and perfectly fit your little head. I have a great picture of you wearing that and neighbor boy Raymond standing proudly in the background. Such a cute miniature couple!
One year in school when you were just a toddler, I sewed you a pink dress as a project for school. I put lots of time and love into those seams, and if I remember right it turned out quite nice. Grandma Kropf and Aunt Joyce did a lot of sewing for you and also cared for you during Mom’s sickness. They counted you as a very special little girl.
You have always been special to me, I suppose because of the fact that I had a hand in helping to raise you. I remember after Mom’s death, Dad suggesting the possibility of me dropping out of school to care for you. It made me sad to think of missing out on my schooling, but I would have gladly done that because of the love I had for you.
But God had other plans and I’m thankful to Him for the love and care that Mom Ruth gave you during your childhood and growing up years.
It has made me so happy to see you grow up into such a lovely woman. How I would love to be there and see you now as a first-time mother! The love you received as a child can now be showered upon your new little one and he/she can experience this circle of love.
Sara mimicking big sister Laura
Marcus and Sara playing
Sara sharing a book with neighbor boy Raymond, now her brother-in-law :)
Sara talking to Daddy on the phone
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