Daddy’s and Mama’s Girls
Daddy’s and Mama’s Girls
The “oldest”, the “knee high baby”, and the “youngest”. My sisters and I were sometimes referred to by those names. Glenda, Carol, and I are three sisters who love each other and our parents. Glenda and Carol are close in age, only about 5 years apart. I was a surprise baby, born 17 years after my oldest sister and 12 years after my middle sister.
Mama thought she was sick with a virus or flu. The doctor confirmed the news that she was pregnant. Mama would share how she was worried and upset about having another baby. Her doctor gave comfort by saying the new baby would bring a unique relationship. Mama, Daddy, and I had a close relationship.
Asking Daddy about my birth, he told memories of the doctor telling him to go back home and wait. He had taken Mama to the hospital and fathers weren’t usually in the delivery room back in those days. So, he and my sister Carol had returned home to wait for news of the birth.
Glenda was working and away from home.
When the phone rang and Daddy was told to come to the hospital to meet the new baby, he and Carol were excited.
Years went on and Glenda was married to Ernest. Carol was married to Hal. I was the only child at home with Mama and Daddy. My parents and I looked forward to visiting each couple.
We three sisters have special and different memories of times with our parents. I’m thankful to have a loving family and two wonderful sisters who have blessed me more than they will ever know. Even though we don’t live in the same area, we continue to stay close through phone calls, letters, texts, and emails, and sometimes visits.
As adults, our conversations about childhood included stories of visiting family in North Carolina, and how each of us had a unique relationship with our parents. There were times when I would comment, “Daddy loves the knee-high baby best.”, as I talked about Carol.
Other times, “Daddy loves the oldest daughter the best.”, as I chatted about Glenda. Then, there were those times when I felt loved the best.
The truth is that our parents loved each daughter the same. We three girls were special to Mama and Daddy.
Glenda, Carol, and I miss our parents. Daddy went to Heaven in 1998. Mama went to Heaven in 2013.
Every family is unique. I’m thankful for the family God gave me. We can agree to disagree, laugh until tears of joy flow, and comfort each other when our hearts are broken. My sisters and I will always be “Daddy’s girls”, and also, “Mama’s girls”.
Thank You God for the blessings of a wonderful family.
In His Name,
Melissa Henderson
Such sweet memories.
Thank you Ava. Have a blessed and wonderful day! 🙂
This is a beautiful tribute to your parents. Thanks for sharing and I pray that you always remember their love for each of you.
Thank you Yvonne. Mama and Daddy were very special people. Have a blessed day! 🙂
You reminded me of my family of origin. I was the oldest sister, the “Dad-burned Dutchman.” The second born sister, two and a half years later, “Melo” a shortening of her name. And then our baby sister, born when I was seventeen was always called by her name, “Danielle.” My youngest sister, Danielle, and I are the most alike. We share common personality traits.
I love how God puts families together. Unique individuals who share common traits. Thank you for sharing about your family. 🙂 Have a blessed day!
This is beautiful! I have four kids and love them all fiercely, yet they are all so different. It reminds me of the God has for each of us… every one of us matters, even as different and unique as we are.
Thank you Jessica. I love how God creates families. Yes, God loves each of us. 🙂 Have a blessed weekend!
Aw Melissa, I enjoyed this story and learning more about you and your family. My in-laws also had a surprise baby later on in life. My husband was 13 and his brother 15 when their baby sister was born. Of course, they were excited for the arrival of a girl.
Thank you Karen. Surprise babies are blessings. 🙂 Have a blessed day!