Amazing Grace

When you really love someone, their joys become your joys.  You feel their sorrows as if they were your own.  You struggle with them.  It somehow makes loved ones even dearer and more precious to you when hard times come their way.

A dear friend of mine, Ann gave birth to a little baby girl very prematurely.  Little Gracie Mae was only 2 pounds when she was born.  We weren't sure we would be able to keep her, or Ann either for that matter.  It was a very scary time.  But a time that showed me the depth of my love for Ann and her family, and the awesome power of God.

Gracie was just a tiny, tiny little thing.  But she was incredibly strong.  She made gains in her health and her weight that were astonishing.

And now, three months later...  she is thriving.  More than thriving.

That girl is chubby.

It brings me joy, joy, joy to be able to say that.

Gracie is chubby.  ahhh...  good words.

I photographed Gracie and Ann last week, and it was so wonderful to see those chubby cheeks.  A joy to hear her squawks of protest whenever Ann laid her down.  A joy to hear her strong cry when she wanted her mother's arms.

I know I keep saying the word, 'joy' over and over again.  But that is the only word that I can use to describe the true blue, down to my soul happiness over every squawk, every cry, every chubby little finger, every hair on her beautiful head.

Joy.

Joy.

Joy.

Joy.

When she is 2 years old and exercising her strong, spunky, spirit...

Joy.

When she goes to her first day of school...

Joy.

When she is a teenager, and drop dead gorgeous, and my boys are all in love with her...

Joy.

When she graduates from High School...

Joy.

When I dance at her wedding, I will remember chubby cheeks.  Chubby toes.  Perfect little mouth.  Chubby little legs.  The way her little chin quivers when she cries.

Joy.