A perfect and special love for all of us

CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON

“Isn’t it great to know you are not made with a cookie cutter? You

are an original! That’s the very best reason to be yourself, and be

good to yourself! God made you unique because he wanted you to be

distinct from all the others.”

-- SUSAN MILLER,

from “After the Boxes are Unpacked.”

What can I say? She is a people person and eager to participate in

everything. Somehow you feel her presence instantly and she works

hard to make a positive connection with everyone she sees. Even

though she is so young, she seems to know how to respond to everyone

she encounters.

Sometimes she starts by studying the person and the situation for

a few minutes, but within a matter of moments, she smiles a

contagious and engaging smile. Actually, it seems like her whole body

smiles with a happy wiggle that goes from the top of her head to her

little tiny toes. I have seen dogs wag their tails in an excitement

that shakes their whole bodies and shows their happiness, but she

clearly shows more joy than that.

Her name is Mary and she is my husband Jon’s and my six-month old

granddaughter. Our daughter Kelly and son-in-law Ryan are exceptional

people, so I shouldn’t be surprised by her presence; it’s just that

Mary seems so young to have developed such a loving and unstoppable

personality. I’ve heard many stories about grandparents being

enthralled with their grandchildren and now it is clear, we have

joined that club.

Jon and I had the privilege of watching Mary for two days. She

could not have been a better houseguest and she was patient as we

figured out how to best adjust to her routine and her needs. Mary

clearly loves people and at her young age, she seems to know that

people like to make eye connections with one another.

Each time she met a new person, whether she was tired or not, she

looked at them until there was clear eye contact, and then she smiled

a welcoming smile. It was if she said, “I am happy to meet you, and

welcome to my world.”

Mary loved it when we sang, prayed and read to her. In fact, I’ve

continued singing the songs to myself, even after Mary left. We miss

her and keep talking about her, and the house seems strangely empty

without her.

Jon and I were fascinated by her every sound, smile and snuggle. I

took her for walks and Mary was entertained by the wind in her hair

and swinging at the park. She happily greeted everybody we passed

with her engaging smile and two new teeth. She played well by

herself, chatting to her stuffed monkey and pink blanket until she

wanted us.

I marveled at a freckle on her arm, her curly hair and her brown

eyes, when I realized that she is a one of a kind miracle, a treasure

to us and to God. While rocking and singing her to sleep one night, I

wondered about how God must look at us. Mary is an original, and so

are we.

I pray every day for Mary. It’s hard to believe that God loves us

with the excited love that we have for her, but I know that it is

true. In fact, God loves us with a perfect and unconditional love,

and may we all be the unique people he planned us to be.

And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at

[email protected] or through the mail at 537 Newport Center Drive,

Box 505, Newport Beach, CA 92660.