three (3).
Isn’t it funny
how all of a family’s history
can meet
right in the face
of a three-year-old?
On our long drive recently Kevin and I looked at Piper’s face in the rearview mirror and verbally dissected her petite features.
A Norton nose.
My mom’s jawline.
It’s all right there.
Aunt Vonnie.
Uncle Tommy.
In my little Willow.
That wee face,
full of so many faces she will never even know.
All of the people whose blood flows through hers.
All of the people who have had a hand in making her –
both structure and soul.
A whole of so many pieces.
An end to something started so long ago.
A continuation of something
centuries in the making.
A beginning of a new story
with endings we cannot even imagine.
How will you grow, little girl who was yesterday two but is today three?
What faces will we see when we look at yours?
Just three tiny little fast-as-lightning years of your story have begun.
Oh.
I hold my breath
and wait with joy
to see
how your face forms,
how your story shapes itself,
how you continue to pull out pieces of my heart
and stitch them back together in a new pattern.
Happy Third Birthday Piper Finnian Willow Lacey.
12 Comments
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Sarah Mann
How funny…my Micah turned 3 on August 28th! Loved reading the post.
LaceyKeigley
Aww.
Happy Birthday to your little guy too.
baylee murphy
glad u r 3 like me, or how i say it… 2 and 1. i luv u. come see me soon! baylee
LaceyKeigley
me too. 3 is cool. I can\’t wait to be 3 together again. Please come back to our house! Also, sometimes I walk around our house and say \”Baylee says – I\’m Out!\” just like you did. – Love, Piper
shelley
Breathtaking thoughts!! So well spoken.
tpeg88
Tell the little one happy Birthday for me! Sad day that I can't be there to celebrate!
LaceyKeigley
Done!
I know – she asked about all the summer staffers celebrating with her.
I guess the lucky Keigleys are the ones whose birthdays fall during the middle of summer.
Cindy
Beautiful…..
LaceyKeigley
Thank you.
Amanda
love the last photo.
Sweet and lovely post today!!!
LaceyKeigley
Thanks – I like that crazy motion and feeling of the last shot too.