Living to Learn: Auntie Cayla

On Sunday my "niece" SkyeLeigh Rae turns 2. It's not even my birthday, yet I am ecstatic over the event.

This little girl came into everyone's life at an unexpected moment. The situation was unconventional, and far from planned ; yet behind all the fear, anger, sorrow, and the unknown, a baby was being born. Born into a sinful world, a precious, beautiful, innocent baby girl. She graced her parents, grandparents, uncles, and aunts alike. Life would never be the same from that moment forward, but no one wanted it to be.

I can remember exactly what I was doing the night Skye was born. Her strong mother went into the hospital Friday morning. I knew of the appointment and anxiously awaited news all day. I remember I was at my friend Steven's house when I got a text. Reception at Steve's house was horrible, but I prayed something would come through, and it did. It was a simple picture of God's perfect blessing. I stared at the picture, my arms tingling, my voice screaming. She looked like an alien, but she was perfect in every sense.

I couldn't wait to see her. We waited until Mama and baby got home a few days later and settled in. I didn't know what to expect walking in. I do know, I walked in as Cayla, walked out as Auntie Cayla.

We watched her grow. Her little faces she made, the noises she squealed, the clothes she was dressed in- tears that were shed for 9 months were wiped away with smiles and laughter.

As if she hadn't already filled a special part of my heart, she captured me forever at her baptism. I was honored to be asked to sing at her service, to be apart of a ceremony dedicating this child to God. The lyrics, I sand with a meaning. The melody, I sang with a passion. For those two short minutes no one else was in that chapel. Just my words and SkyeLeigh.

Last year at her first birthday, it was more than just a birthday. It was mile stone. Grammy, Mama, and a beautiful baby girl had made it one year together. All the drama, anxiety, and sacrifices that were made were set aside for the day to celebrate the birth of a child that changed everyone. Awkward relationships and tension were forgotten for a few hours, coming together smiling that a year had passed.

In the last year changes have happened. My love for Skye has grown and my relationship with her as widened. Since the day she was born, I had my special "Auntie" days with peanut. But over the summer it became more consistent. Every Friday SkyeLeigh and I spend the afternoon together while Mama goes to school, and Gammy & Papa go to work.

We have had our fair share of adventures, laughs, arguments, time-outs, learning experiences, & picture worthy moments. The cute Love Bug turned into a Monster and still amazes me with her faces, noises (now words), and adorable outfits.

She has taken a bit of my heart that I will never get back. Turning two turns the page and begins a new chapter.