We didn't plan for Anna's birthday to fall just as the new year was gearing up. In fact, we weren't planning for Anna at all. She just sort of happened. She has, on a few occasions, asked if she was an 'accident.' Steve responds in his typical caring, positive, and sensitive way by saying, "Oh no! No child is ever an accident." I, on the other hand, answer her question with something much more along the lines of, "Yep!"
It is true. But, Anna is the happiest accident of my life.
Before her noon-hour arrival 17 years ago, our little family eagerly anticipated Anna’s birth. At four-years old, Parker was very excited to have a younger sibling. Only, not really. He was excited to have a younger sister. In fact, he was adamant that he was having a younger sister long before we actually knew if she was a girl or a boy. If the baby were a boy he'd prefer to pass, thanks. He did, however, insist that we should name her Ed. No amount of explaining could convince him that Ed wasn't a conventional girl's name. Not that our family has ever been conventional. But still.
I had a favorite name picked out for a baby girl but in an overzealous moment a few years earlier, I gave it to the cat. This didn't seem so insurmountable. The cat never responded when called anyway, so why not just change the cat's name to something else and transfer the original name to the baby? When I suggested this, I got horrified looks. No. The cat had already been in possession of that name for 12 years. She was not giving it up for the baby. Apparently there was some concern for a feline identity crisis. Really? For a cat who largely ignored us except when she wanted food, I doubted she’d forget who she was. But, I had ankles the size of small watermelons, a perpetually full bladder, and a lack of oxygen was addling my brain. I just wasn’t up for the argument.
It was Charles who eventually created peace by suggesting Anna's name. Shortly before she was born, Charles calmly proposed the name Anna Katherine. It was as if angels quietly whispered in his ear. When he spoke it, we knew immediately the right name had found its way to our baby girl.
Once we established that she was a girl and had a name, the only thing left to do was welcome her. It was a cold, snowy, Colorado day when our little songbird was born and at that moment the world instantly became more beautiful.
Anna’s calm, easygoing manner was evident from the start. As was her natural musical ability. Quietly determined, so far Anna has accomplished pretty much everything she’s set out to do, although she rarely creates the accompanying hoopla. Fortunately, she is surrounded by people who love her and just happen to be superior hoopla creators, otherwise her accomplishments might be overlooked by her blithe acceptance.
Although Anna’s gene pool is crowded with every imaginable expression, including some who are hooting and hollering and doing cannonballs in the middle, somehow she manages to be confident, poised, and reserved, with just the tiniest hint of regality. Which might explain why she has always referred to Charles and Parker as, ‘her boys.’ I might start getting concerned if I hear her say, “We are not amused.” But, unless that happens, I’ll stand aside and watch as my unassuming superstar casually saunters in and, with aplomb, takes her place in the world.
Accidents happen. We are all better for this one.
Happy Birthday,
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