My Little Humanitarian

Eryn Rachel Pearl came to us about nine years ago. She was a difficult pregnancy towards the end, a worse delivery and if possible, a terrible recovery! She had to be served eviction notice and then forcefully removed from the warm comfort of her womb (she was sucking her thumb when Dr. Shannon reached in to pull her out). Eryn needed to be started under billy lights and in the first year of life, was hospitalized about six times for various serious illnesses. Dan and I didn't think we would EVER get to live a normal life. She was a fairly calm baby, her little mouth would fly open when ever anything resembling food would pass by it. But again,she was on quite a few steroids and was H.U.N.G.R.Y. all of the time. One babysitter loved to feed her Tammi and her sister Heather would LAUGH at Eryn because she'd smile and hum to her food. Grandpa Julie and Eryn formed a close bond over Cheese Nips and naps in the big recliner once Eryn discovered how to mot ate on her own and could navigate the stairs to the basement. Our favorite nick names were many but we knew she was destined for fame when she paired a furry pink hat, big plastic purple beds, Winnie the Pooh pajama top, diaper and one blue and one pink fuzzy slippers at the age of two. We call her 'Miss Bling-Bling' because even now she loves fancy things. Funny, funny little girl.

Now, Eryn has evolved into a very organized young girl. This child is NOT of me! I'm very casual and prefer to wear jeans and a tee shirt most of the time. Eryn is not complete until her lips are glossed, her hair is brushed (she prefers a chic inverted bob cut) and neatly clipped with clips of matching color to her outfit. A purse filled with the essentials of life-- lip gloss, brush and sunglasses over her shoulder and if she can find them, heels before she leaves the house. Loves cheer leading, jump rope club, honor choir and socializing at lunch.

So, it came as a surprise to her father and I that for her ninth birthday, she asked for food for the food bank. Huh? "Food for the food bank please. I just had Christmas, I have everything I want and I'd like to give food to people who might need it here in Lake Stevens." I'm all for giving, but I'd like presents please, THEREFORE this child can't possibly be for real, or mine, right?

But she is. And she taught us a sweet lesson. She has a generous heart and is genuinely interested in helping less fortunate people. Eryn collected two boxes of food from her friends who came to her party. Dan and Eryn took the food down to the food bank tonight and she got to give it to the people who ran the bank. Right now, people are so in need of a helping hand and our Eryn helped out. The food banks are low in food this time of year and are always grateful for what ever little we can spare. Grandpa Julie's Favorite saying comes to mind... "but for the Grace of God, there go I."

Happy birthday Eryn! You make my heart happy, and my eyes tear up with joy your sweet spirit brings us. You go girlie! :)