My girl

Today was a great day! My little girl is growing up....she was making a difference in the world today. She worked all fall to create bowls for Empty Bowls-a great event held to raise money for the Harry Chapin Food Bank. She served soup all morning at Cambier Park. Her favorite teacher, Pat Smith, was there and I was able to grab a few photos of them together. She introduced Kaity to her mother and said, "Mom, here is my all time favorite student". Ahhhhh, how my heart soared. These two really have a bond and oh how I love it!!

Beautiful

Kelle

Kelle,

You know I suck at writing and expressing myself, so I'm going to try and I'm doing it here. This is for you, dear.

So many things have occurred this last week, it seems but a blur.
I was so blessed to be present at the birth of little Nella Cordelia Hampton last Friday. When I first walked into that room on Friday @ 3:30 I knew it would be beautiful, amazing and special. I had no idea how life changing, enlightening, poetic, mystical, and magical it would be. All births are miracles to me and God's spirit is present in each birthing room. But on Friday, January 22 at 4:24 p.m, the heavens opened up and God himself came into that birthing room and gave us Nella.

I'm not a biblical person so I can't quote scripture. I don't read much except romance novels and mysteries. So the only thing I can write about would be my own observations.

There are people you want in your life, especially when times are tough. Katie is that person. She was amazing and I'm glad she was there.

There are friends in your life, if you're lucky, who love you unconditionally. Heidi is that person. The love and the support she provided.....there are no words to describe it. What a rock, what a friend.

Family, if they're good, can make life so much better. Watching your dad cry when Nella was born and then again when he saw your pain, made my heart grow a bit larger. Your sister by your side and never leaving you for a minute was beautiful. I barley know your brother but the immediate and unconditional love he felt for Nella, without even seeing her made me love him with all my heart. I can see your mom now, bent over this itty bitty newborn outfit, knitting for 36 loving hours.

I have always believed in Karma and what you put out in the universe, will one day come back to you. Kelle, you are the most giving person I know. You give yourself to everyone, unconditionally, without wanting or expecting anything in return. People around you feel nothing but love and happiness. People who don't even know you, love you because of who you are and how you love, and love abundantly. The Universe is giving back to you...all those posts on your blog, from family, friends, loved ones and perfect strangers is God's way of showing you that you are not alone. YOU have touched so many lives and we all are dying to give back to you.

I am so proud of you. I do feel more like your mother than close friend due to our ages, so now I'm addressing you as if I were your mom. LOL I cannot imagine having a more beautiful loving daughter. I am proud of the transition you have made since Friday. You came into that delivery room a fabulous girl and when you left, you left as an amazing woman. I watched that transition in you daily and I have never been more proud of anyone in my whole life. Even though I would have been 12 when you were born, I wish you were my daughter...that way Nella and Lainey would be my granddaughters. Tee hee

I love you, Kelle! I love Nella and Lainey too. I'm here for you and want to be part of your journey. It's going to be a beautiful one!