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Through the years! Alannah In many stages of cuteness |
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Alannah sings with Alexa at Alicia's Birthday Party July 2018 |
Alannah
is going to start second grade soon, and this year she’s learned to read
well. In her room, a bookshelf of her
favorite books—mostly Princess related—is also decorated with stars, hearts,
stuffed unicorns, and miniatures. She
is our sparkling, princess granddaughter, so filled with joy and sparkles that
she glitters wherever she goes. Just
like her mama!
Seven
years ago, I appealed to friends on social media: “My daughter, Alicia, is
scheduled to be induced tomorrow early in the morning. Please pray that all will go well!!” Between the lines, I can still feel my
anxiety and concern for my daughter. When
she was eight years old, Alicia was diagnosed with type-1 diabetes, and though
she managed diabetes as best as she could, childbirth is always complicated,
and doctors openly called the pregnancy “high risk” for mother and baby.
Alicia had
given birth to Harmony just two years before, but that labor was long and hard,
and her beautiful baby was born in distress, struggling to breathe in the first
six minutes of her life. None of us
wanted a repeat of that scare, even though Harmony had recovered completely,
showing no signs of any birth trauma as she exited the hospital.
In 2011,
when Alicia was pregnant with Alannah, Mario and I lived in South Africa. We regularly SKYPED with Alicia, and got to
see our daughter’s tummy grow month by month, all via webcam.
“I think
this baby’s going to be larger than Harmony,” she told us. “I might not make it
to my due date of August 1.”
“Should
I change my flights?” I asked her. “Should
I come earlier?”
Alicia smiled. “Yeah, I think so.”
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Arrived in Chico--July 2011 |
I changed my flights and traveled to the USA in time to celebrate Alicia’s birth (July 28) but Alannah didn’t
arrive until August 8. Even she was born after another long, hard labor, Alannah came out kicking and screaming. I had never been so grateful for loud cries in
my life. Mario was with us via SKYPE
hookup, and we both celebrated the mercy of God!
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Just after birth |
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Yes, you're reading that right--9 lbs 4.9 oz |
Alicia
was incredibly exhausted afterward, and had lost so much blood that they talked
about arranging for a transfusion. The
good news was that the baby was delightfully healthy—Alannah Litney Vosburg was
9 lbs, 5 ounces and 21 inches long. She
was pink and beautiful—lots of noises came from her. We all rejoiced in her
beauty. I got to hold her almost as soon
as she came out.
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Our first contact! 10 Minutes old |
The next
day came the sad reality: I had to leave only one day after Alannah was born. Because
I had rearranged my flights thinking the baby was coming earlier, the return
flight (two weeks after arrival) was also earlier. International flights can’t be rescheduled
like domestic flights can be—and I felt a strange mixture of gratitude and
grief. Alicia said she understood, but I
knew she wished I could stay. Our goodbyes were tearful, but we smiled for photographs
with the new baby, a granddaughter that I would see four months later, at
Christmas.
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Just before saying goodbye - August 9, 2011 |
Today, Alannah
is SEVEN years old! And yet, all of this
feels like it happened last week.
Now living
in the USA, Mario and I are regular fixtures in the lives of our children and
grandchildren. Every Friday, I make the
trip to Chico and see Harmony and Alannah, many times with Scarlett, who adores
her cousins.
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At Caper Acres Spring 2018 |
Alannah
has grown into a beautiful girl. She is
kind, affectionate, loving, creative, has a beautiful singing voice and a great
imagination. She is also tender-hearted
and empathetic—with a beauty and warmth that is rare in human beings.
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Reading at Chico's The Bookstore |
When I
asked Alannah what she wanted to do for her SEVENTH birthday, she answered
without thinking.
“Grandma,
I’m going to have friends over for a unicorn birthday party and you’re invited!”
“Am I?”
I asked. “Can I bring Grandpa?”
“Yes,
Grandpa, too!” She said, sparkling with
excitement. “My whole family and all of
my friends are coming and we’re going to have so much fun!” Unable to contain any more excitement,
Alannah jumped off the couch and started jumping up and down.
“What do
you want for your birthday?” I asked her.
She stopped jumping for a moment and thought.
“I want
you to come to my party.”
I
smiled.
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Alannah's Unicorn Costume she swore she was wearing to the party |
The best
thing about returning to your home country after several years of meaningful, rewarding
work in the mission field, is family. In
the middle of familial reward, there are grandchildren, the best beings in the
whole world—especially when you have one like Alannah.
Happy
SEVENTH Birthday, dear Alannah! We love
you!!
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Alannah wears my glasses after a bath |