I had a zoom call with Isabella yesterday. It was the first time I had spoken to her in two years. She was hesitant at first sitting cross-legged on the couch staring at her screen with a shy smile. It was beautiful. She was beautiful. We started the conversation with a little bit of technical issues with sound and so just sitting there staring at each other, both of us smiling. Her hair was in braids and she was reserved.
She called me mommie about 45 minutes into the call. I nudged Angie, who was sitting next to me. “She called me mommie.” Angie was like, “I heard.” All quick and quiet as to not miss a beat with Bells.
We sat and spoke for a while before gymnastics came up and all of a sudden her device was on the floor and she was showing us splits, handstands, headstands, wall stands, and cartwheels. With, “What else do you think I can do?” She stood on her right leg for over 30 seconds with us counting aloud. Only about 15 seconds on the left.
There were math tables recited and words spelled. She can spell her name forward and backwards and is resourceful. She is very well spoken. She has great diction and enunciation.
My favorite part of the conversation occurred when I asked her what she wanted for her upcoming birthday. She replied, a book. She said she liked reading and that she wanted a Pete the Cat book for her birthday. It was a really proud mom moment. I cannot wait to sit and read with her again.
By the end of the conversation we both had our hair down to compare lengths. Hers was a dark pink and purple color. It was so cute! I have been growing my hair out since she was born almost 6 years ago. My hair is not the type to keep growing and growing so it has kind of stalled. Hers has not. It’s very long, and from what I could see on the screen, more than half way down her back. And it was purple! Like a really nice purple with pink highlights. It was really well done. I’m happy for her. She’s quite fond of pink and purple, but when I asked her favorite color, she replied, “Red, and blue. And purple and silver and gold. And some other colors.” Angie replied that she too had trouble picking just one color.
“Grateful” doesn’t do justice. Maybe “grace.” Nevertheless, I am very happy. I didn’t miss everything. Not yet anyway. Let this be a start. Let me be grateful. Let me remember.
The Isms of the Ic 