Lilla Mor Jr.

When I was little my parents used to call me "lilla mor" which means "little mother" in Swedish.  The kids in my family were always lumped into two groups: the older kids, and the three youngest.  Being the oldest of the three youngest, I was a tad bossy, or rather "concerned" let's say. That's where the nickname fit. 
But today I want to pay a little tribute to  my own lilla mor and tell you why I love this girl so much.

 

She can step up like no other 9 year old I know.  She has been doing it since she was old enough to pat my back while throwing up into the toilet with morning sickness with number 2.  She was not even one and a half and she would stand behind me and rub my back.  In fact, I can recall her running and getting me water and even holding my hair back without being asked for every pregnancy.  She is compassionate and intuitive of people's needs.  She is the one that will bring me breakfast in bed on my birthday or Mother's Day when Clark has been gone.

I woke up early this morning quite un-well.  Without Clark available to help I was worried about getting the kids up and off to school.  But I really knew that I didn't have to worry.  All I had to do was tell Haley what I needed and she did it.  She got up without whining.  She got everyone dressed and did their hair (even Hazel, although Mia wouldn't let her touch her hair, go figure.) I made it down to the couch to supervise and watched as she got everyone breakfast and made school snacks.  At one point I even heard her say very calmly "I don't want to have to tell you again".  I knew when I told them as they were walking out the door to the bus stop to stay together and be safe, that she would see to it.  She is protective of her sisters and she loves them.

I have confidence in her.  I believe in her and I am grateful for her.  

I am sure that there are a lot of things that stink about being the oldest child.  But I hope that I never forget, and that she never fails to recognize the special bond that we have.  She has been my buddy, my companion and my right hand man for so many years of Clark's absences. 

I love her.

Mom's just shouldn't get sick, ever.  But I am sure glad that I have a backup plan when I do.

Post Edit: I am feeling much better now, and no, I am not pregnant.