The Baby's Mama

While flipping through the usual stack of favorite books with Punky tonight, I had one of those cherished proud mama moments.

Her pediatrician's office has given her books at various wellness check-ups since the beginning.  They must know what they're doing because these books always seem to end up in Punky's "favorite" pile.  The latest one she received is about things you can see, hear, smell, and feel at the park.  The first page has a picture of a mother holding her baby.

The word 'baby' has been a part of Punky's vocabulary for a few months now.  Whenever we look at that page, I always point to the baby and ask her what he is and she quickly tells me.  Then I usually point to his mother and say something along the lines of, "I bet that's the baby's mama."  We turn the page.

Tonight I pointed to the woman and asked Punky, "Who is this?"  Without skipping a beat and clear as a bell she replied, "Baby's mama."

Two words.  Two whole words.  Together.  My little Einstein.

She continued through the rest of the book but I was too busy marveling at her accomplishment to read another word.  When she was done, I wiped the tears from my eyes and gave her the biggest hug and kiss.

Tonight I am thinking of the baby's mama.  Both the precious words spoken by my beautiful girl and the baby's mama who lost her precious little angel this morning.

In the blog world I'd been following the story of two year old Layla Grace who lost her long battle with cancer today.  No words can describe what this little girl and her family have been through and I can't even bring myself to try.  

I don't know the family.  I didn't know Layla Grace. Yet her story touched my heart and I was overcome with grief when I read the post today.  She was a beautiful, precious, brave little girl and my heart aches for her family and all who knew her.

And especially for her mother.  I can't even begin to imagine the depths of her sorrow.

Tonight my heart is with that baby's mama.  As well as my tears.