‘I wish I were Laina’, you said
You whispered it, but I heard you.
Uncontained and uncontrolled
Your little sister climbs high without fear.
You marvel at her bravery.
She’s both gleeful and funny.
What is it like to want to jump first?
What is it like to not worry?
‘I wish I were Laina’, you said
My eyes instantly flooded
I know how badly you’d love to join in.
But your caution won’t be ignored.
I marvel at your sweet calm,
At how easily your fingers create.
Your careful cutting and playful teasing
Are pieces of you I adore.
‘I wish I were Laina’, you said.
I will help you fight your battles.
She is precious, it’s true but I wish you knew,
How beautiful is it to be you.
Gigi says
Oh, bless her little heart! It’s not easy to be the shyer, quieter one – the one who is afraid to make that first jump. Encourage her to pursue her own path – where she will find the strength and confidence in her own way.
Blond Duck says
But she’s so beautiful as she is!
Ryan (The Woven Moments) says
I remember wanting to be my sister growing up, too. I see my girls now and hope that they always want to be who they are.
SUPAHMAMA says
I was the oldest, and the worrier too. She’ll find her own light to shine soon enough, Mama. :) Isn’t it amazing how different kids can be from one another?
Diane@BeStillaMinute says
What a beautiful poem. I can relate to her. I’ve always been the one secretly wanting to jump in but too shy to go first.
Desperate Housemommuy says
It happens with The Twins a lot. Thank goodness one is a boy and one is a girl. Their uneasiness about transgender surgery keeps them in check.
Angel says
Aww as the baby I know how it feels to be too little, too scared, too quiet. She is beautiful and wonderful in her own way.. and maybe one day some of the bravery will jump into her and she will do it without thought.
Jennifer says
I feel so sad for her, but I’m glad she can appreciate that quality in her sister. I wish it were easier to teach our kids to admire their own qualities.
Susanna@Susanna Leonard Hill says
What a lovely, touching poem. And how lucky she is that you will help her appreciate being her.
Marta says
That was really beautiful. I understand what its like to wish you were more courageous than you are, more oblivious to harm and negativity around you. Its an amazing personality trait. But there is so much to love about being patient, calm, and thoughtful.
Eve says
You’re such a good writer and poet. I love, LOVE your funny side, but posts like this are just lovely. I bet that’s what my mom used to think about me too when I was little. I too was super shy and quiet at that age. It’s challenging, but I’m sure she’ll thrive with a mom like you!
Paula Kiger says
Amen – I so completely understand this. My daughter used to arrive in the car after school crying (4th grade ish) saying “I don’t know who I want to be!” – it did no good to try to convince her that she was incredible just the way she was. I guess somethings kids just have to figure out for themselves and the hard work of us parents is keeping our mouths shut while they do. *hugs*
a Book for My Daughter says
What a beautiful poem—and what an incredible perspective you have with your two daughters. For you, as their mother, to see these differences, and to praise them for their uniqueness will make all the difference as they grow up. Incredible.
GRAMPS says
My Daughters are now in their 40’s but I remember those days so long ago. You want the world for them but they will find their own world. And as they grow, you watch the world evolve into the women they are today. And love them.
Marie says
Pass the tissues, please!
Tracy @nystoopmama says
Oh, now I’m all weepy. That poem could be my daughter also, watching her friends fearlessly going down the “scary” slide head first while she pretends to cheer them on at the bottom. I know she feels left out, and it tugs at my heart a little.
Beautiful post.
adventuresindinner says
Think of all those amazing people who will be blessed to know her when they slow down and take the time. Those are the best friends.
Kimberly says
This is so sweet! I wish it was easy for kids to realize the wonderful qualities that they have in themselves.
Amber says
This was beautiful. I love the photos that you used to go along with it.
Amy ~ Eat. Live. Laugh. Shop. says
Beautiful! It is never easy to be the quieter sibling. Everything looks so much more exciting through someone else’s eyes. I too hope she see all the beauty within!
jo@blog-diggidy says
oh, how precious…she really is beautiful! she will realize that one day, cause you are a great mom and you’ll never let her forget it! :)
Victoria KP says
Oh this really got to me. Any time one of my kids wishes he was something other than what he is I crumple up inside. My seven year old told me last week he wishes he didn’t have freckles. I LOVE his freckles!
Amy says
That’s me and my sister in a nutshell.
XLMIC says
So sweet. And describes my oldest so well.
Galit Breen says
Kat, this is so lovely. And I get it so, so well- I have this sweet girl, too. And my heart aches for her to see all of that goodness.
Nicole @MTDLBlog says
So well written Kat. Loved reading this…..
The Mommy Therapy says
Awesome.
I felt like you could have been writing about my oldest and second to oldest sons. It’s so true that they pick out the best of one another to envy, such a journey to learn to love who they are too. She’s a lucky girl to have a Mom working to point out how amazing she is too.
Love this. Thanks for sharing!
Chrissy Torres says
That was so pretty!! I also have twin 8 month old daughters and hope they grow up loving who they are. Thanks for sharing
Kir says
I got very weepy…as the mom of twins I feel this so often. I want Gio and Jacob to be happy just being themselves…and not want to be each other. How I loved this, loved loved it.
Your daughters are beautiful inside and out, both of them.
Amanda says
Breaking my heart and so beautiful. I need a tissue, too.
Raine says
<3
Laurie F. says
I am your youngest child, even as a grown-up. I still get anxious though I try to work through it and push myself. My daughter and son are fearless. Sometimes in my head I think “I want to be Jillian when I grow up.” There is nothing my teenage children won’t try. My son has gone parachute jumping, he was 18 and nothing I could say would stop him. My daughter plans to do that this summer when she turns 18. I watch the video, the glee, exhilaration, excitement. Sometimes I wish I were my children, yet sometimes I wish they were a little like me…..
Anne Province says
Lovely poem!
Tracy P. says
Geez, girlie, could you issue a tissue warning? What a beautiful poem from a mom’s heart. You’ve been busy since I was here last. Hard to catch up! Now that I have both laughed and cried I should probably go accomplish something.