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I’m sitting in the kitchen brushing Magoo’s hair.
Hey baby, do you know why we spell your name the way we do?
Because with this spelling it means “wanted one.”
And why are you our wanted one?
Because you and Daddy prayed really hard for many years asking God for me.
Did you know that I almost fell down the stairs on the way to tell Daddy you were in my belly because I was so excited?
(Rolling eyes) Yes Mom.
And do you know the first thing we did once we found out?
Yes. You went to tell Grandma and Grandpa. You cried those tears mommies cry when they are happy.
Magoo knows this story. She’s known it since that day I first held her in that hospital room. I believe she knew it before then. Back when she lived beyond the moon and the stars. Before she came to me. Back when I was her mama and she was my baby and we belonged to one another but we were not yet with one another.
This story has been on my heart lately. I think it’s because my heart has been so full with these three little ones. There have been so many giggles and smiles and happy confidences. It’s hard to believe that from all those years of empty arms and deep prayers came a love so deep it could fill canyons.
That story really belongs to all three of them. Magoo came first and broke the emptiness, but our hearts were longing for them all. For the family we just couldn’t quite yet reach.
And I hope they take this story and wrap it around their hearts. I hope it buffers the loneliness life sometimes brings. I hope it gives them security and comfort.
We aren’t perfect parents. We falter. We err. We fail. But not for one single second of one single day does our love falter or err or fail. Never does it dissipate or wane.
Always, forever, deeply, passionately, and sincerely.
Loved. Wanted.