The Difference 6 Months makes

I am so in awe at the speed in which my daughter is learning. From June until now she has learned to walk, run, speak, follow directions, show compassion, laugh at something humorous, make her desires known, twist a cap, drink from a straw a cup a bottle, and she knows her colors (mostly). She is a sponge and a parrot.
When she arrived back from her 7 day "vacation" my eyes were opened afresh to her amazing abilities. She looked older to me after just a week and knew words that she hadn't left knowing. The newest thing she has learned is how to express gratitude, "shankchu". She is constantly telling me what color things are even if it isn't always quite right. Her heart is full of compassion; furrowing her brow and pursing her lips to say "awwww" when she hears a baby cry or if someone has a "boo-boo". She was carrying a figurine of a little boy the other day and accidentally dropped it and his head fell off. She was so concerned patting the headless body against her chest saying, "Awww baby". Even after I put it away for days she kept saying, "Aww baby". I had to super glue his head back on just to put her heart at ease.
I love seeing her personality emerge and know, in part she learns from us, but there is a divinely written script of her very own already written on her heart. She loves to give hugs and kisses. She squeezes me tight and gives me a little grunt to let me know she loves me. She still loves nay needs to be holding my finger and digging her little nail under mine any time she is relaxing, watching t.v., riding in the car, falling asleep. She loves physical touch.
It seems miraculous to me that only 18 short months ago she was still taking residence in my very own body. Even more so that 9 months before that we knew nothing of her existence. I am grateful for the honor of being a parent and the lessons I learn daily and the weaknesses it highlights in my own character and the deep desire it ignites in me to live a simpler life.

I love that the explosion of development in such a short time reminds me that life could be entirely different in only six short months. A hug and a smile can change the climate of an entire room. When you fail or don't get things quite right, you should still keep trying. Learning is critical to living a full life and keep moving forward.

I want to remember these times and remind myself of the childlike nature that is in me. I want to savor these sweet moments so if a tougher time comes, I can pull these memories out of my pocket and carry on with a secret grin despite of teenage angst. As life constantly changes and I remain unable to see the future,   I want to remember the vast difference only a short few months can make and be grateful that His mercies are new every morning.