monday memory 4.10.06

It was on Maya’s fourth birthday that my best friend took her to get her ears pierced. They were both so excited about it. I can only imagine the scene: Maya feeling scared, but putting on her brave face. Gem telling her what a big and courageous girl she was. I say I can only imagine it because I wasn’t there. In fact I had no idea that this was even being considered. And I know that I didn’t necessarily handle it very well. (Unfortunately, I can be that way sometimes. I’m working on it, but it’s a long way to knee jerk tact for me.) Anyway, I was so surprised by this change. It wasn’t that Gem had done so without consulting me. Our friendship didn’t work that way, still doesn’t. (Although, Gem, if you read this. Chris is hoping to take her for her first tattoo. Maya just rolls her eyes when he brings the idea up.) Nope, it was not about permission, or toe stepping or any of that nonsense. It was just that standing there with her new bejeweled ears; she did indeed look so mature. In a matter of a few hours my baby had turned into a real live girl. I’d long known that she had her own ideas about things. She practically jumped out of the womb speaking in full, well articulated sentences. Heck, she even had her own, somehow tailored, bohemian style. But now, with the grown up ears, I knew that there was no turning back. She would never again be my tiny baby. It hit me that her childhood would go by so much faster than mine did. And I’d better watch out, or I’d miss it. It’s been ten years now. Maya is now taller than I am, and almost taller than Chris. She’s entering high school next year and working very hard on her grades in hopes of getting scholarships to college. And I just can’t believe the daily juxtaposition of little girl and young woman I still get to watch in her. Well, yesterday was Maya’s birthday. She turned 14. So you know what we did? We went to the mall – to Claire’s. There Chris presented Maya with her birthday present from him…a second set of holes in her ears. I stood back, since it wasn’t actually my gift, but I was there. I got to watch as she picked out the jewelry, and squirmed nervously, hoping that it wouldn’t hurt too much. Standing there, I watched this American rite of passage turned birthday present happening between them.  And just for a moment, I could see my little girl before me. She was just as full of grace and beauty as ever. Happy birthday, Maya. I love you.

 

 

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