I have spent the past few days caring for Morgan. She has been ill with the flu. I had a total of 2 hours of sleep last night because I had to continuously monitor her fever. Today was her birthday. She is now 7 years old. Chris and I gave her four Furbies as her birthday gift. She was elated! Her "Furby themed" party is scheduled for Saturday. I can't believe that it's already been 7 years since she was born. It has been wonderful watching her grow and blossom into a caring, intelligent and curious child. I love everything about her, from the little freckles on her tiny nose to the way she crawls into my bed on the weekend to ask for her special breakfast. I never knew how large a mother's heart could expand in order to make room for the love that is infused when a child is born. How fortunate I am to have her in my life. Time is passing quickly. It pains me to know that she is no longer a baby. However, I am eager to see the woman she will become. I will be there for her every step of the way to guide her when she needs me.
On another note, I spent the majority of the day at the San Fernando Mission, perusing the rooms and the treasures contained within. Sitting in the church pew filled me with a feeling of nostalgia. I remembered visiting the church in my grandmother's village in Mexico when I was a young girl. I recall feeling like a tiny ant, surrounded by walls festooned with brilliant colors and shiny objects. The same was true today, I still felt small among the statues. The art displayed in the rooms was exquisite. I particularly enjoyed the pieces with the Madonna and child. Such profound emotion is not easily conveyed. It takes a skilled artist to express the bond between mother and child.
Our docent was an elderly man with many stories to tell. I was amused by his innocence, and ability to captivate the group. He said that his family had arrived to the United States from Italy, and proceeded to discuss his humble beginnings. He said that it was in the United States when he saw for the first time, a flushing toilet and toilet paper. He explained that upon seeing such an interesting object, he flushed it repeatedly. That day he arrived home with toilet paper that he had taken from the restroom to show to his parents. The church accused him of stealing it, and was consequently spanked by his parents. He confessed that all he was trying to do was show his parents the toilet paper that he believed his parents had never seen before. What an interesting day, full of beauty and stories.
