June 24th: A Day and a Gift to Remember

Just over a year ago, I was on last-minute babysitting duty and had my then 5-year-old granddaughter, N, with me on the day of a hair appointment.  I took her with me to the salon where she sat on a chair across the aisle and entertained my stylist, Hannah, with expressive stories about her twin sisters, her cousins and Kitty ... specifically that Kitty had died.

N got her hair braided that day - on the house.

Hannah now asks about N every time I go in for a color and cut.  So, a few weeks ago, when my daughter-in-law mentioned that N needed at least a bang trim, I thought it would be fun to take her back to my 'hair place' to visit Hannah.

We did that today ... N, J, G, their mom and I.  N had her shampoo, cut and style and we continued on with our girls' day.  Lunch.  The hobby shop.  The dollar store.  I found flowers and decorations for Kitty and our last stop was the cemetery.

Today was the 4th anniversary of the 'triplet baptism'.  How did I not remember that sooner?  That was a big day for our family; three granddaughters, three sets of grandparents, six godparents - one chaotic, noisy, very important and significant day.  As daughter-in-law commented, "It was the day that prepared Kitty for Heaven."

Wow. 

As I write this, I understand more deeply what a privilege it was for me to spend the 4-year baptismal anniversary with the twins.  They were very excited.  Aunt Mandy left money for their piggy banks. N, J and G announced it at the salon - it was a big deal to them. 

When we got to the cemetery, we assembled a vase with the flowers and sparkly beads we found while shopping.  The vase was poked into the ground at the corner of Kitty's marker.  Daughter-in-law placed the girls behind the grave and took pictures.  That's when I noticed.  The daisies I chose at the hobby shop were pink, purple and white,  In order to more easily identify the twins, J always wears pink and G typically is dressed in purple.  The white ... Kitty. 

Another 'Wow' moment.  Isn't it interestingly strange how things like that happen? 

What I expected when my day started was a haircut and lunch.  Instead, I received the celebration of the triplet cousins' baptismal anniversary and the extraordinary gift of a sign from Kitty ... she wears white.

---