A couple of weeks ago, driving down a Vancouver street a vision of delicate pink hues caught my eye and took me twenty years into the past.
It was an early Pacific West Coast spring. The air warming the Earth, the air and the hearts of the locals.
As I looked outside my window the sky was the brightest blue, and the street lined with so many pink blossoms that I felt I could almost smell their scent through the window.
The magnolia is the picture of delicate fragility, yet their petals are dense, slow to open, long lasting yet never long enough. Theirs is the scent of spring itself, floral and fresh and sweet.
In my arms lay a bundle of pink, wrapped in a white blanket.
Twenty years ago!
This copper-haired, pink bundle was a miraculous answer to prayers too numerous to count.
I sat on the hospital bed, feeling the awesome presence of the most creative being, who was revealing his nature to me, from the vision in my arms to the one blowing gently at the street.
“Then Esau looked up and saw the women and children. “Who are these with you?” he asked. Jacob answered, “They are the children God has graciously given your servant.” (Genesis 33:5)
The miracle in my arms … she was always mine … she was never mine.
It is hard to find the words to adequately express my love and hopes for you (imagine, me being without words).
I will use the words of the apostle Paul to do that:
“I have never stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you wisdom to see clearly and really understand who Christ is and all that he has done for you. I pray that your heart will be flooded with light so that you can see something of the future he has called you to share. I want you to realize that God has been made rich because we who are Christ’s have been given to him! I pray that you will understand how incredibly great his power is to help those who believe him.
Ephesians 1:16-19
As we celebrate twenty years of life and breath today, I want you to know that wherever you may go, whatever you may do, you are still in the creative and loving arms of your creator … who loves you more than anyone else.
Love,
Mom
itsawonderfilledlife 
Oh, that is the most beautiful painting, and then you added the most beautiful words. Thank you soooo much for sharing it!
It touched me so deeply, because I , too was given a special golden haired new land most precious little life, 32 years ago. She has been the most precious gift ever, and seeing that you live in Canada, I had to answer your beautiful message. While my special gift was born here in Australia, this same glorious and much loved daughter of mine fell in love with Canada after spending 8 months in Banf. She came back for a few weeks, and left again, to return via The Philipenes to Canada, which she called ‘home’ on the itinerary she sent me.
My hearts aches for her, but I know she is happy travelling, and now knowing that there are dear people like you in Canada, I am much more content. But, will you pray with me that she falls in love with Jesus as well, and may enjoy the rich blessings such a Love will bring into her heart, mind, body and spirit.
God bless you, and your copper haired treasure!
Elise
If I may ask who wrote this?my name is Maggie
Hi Maurissa (Maggie),
I am the one who wrote this post, and who hosts this blog (though I am taking a short break, currently). I hope it was enjoyable for you.
Carole
Elise,
That painting … it still brings tears to my eyes!
I am certain that your mom heart misses your golden girl. I understand your prayer request, and the heart that aches for your girl. I will join you, in lifting her up to our God, Father and her very Creator … who loves her even more than her momma.
Blessings to you this very day,
Carole
Please do you know who painted this picture? I have a dear friend who lost her little girl and she had red hair just like this girl. I want to find it so I can buy it for her, but I can’t figure out who painted it. Any idea?
Angie, I have looked again and am just finding nothing. When I zoom in the artist’s signature would appear to be Christopher … but that is all I can find.
Carole
Hi Angie,
I have searched and searched to no avail. It is probably one of my favorite images ever (and I can ‘see’ this copper haired girl as my own). I will keep looking and let you know if I ever discover who created it.
Carole