Wednesday afternoon, Riley was cutting strawberries. I had her set up on a bar stool, with a cutting board and a knife. I've taught her knife safety and how to cut without leaving fruit OR fingers behind. She is the primary eater of the strawberries, so I figured it'd be a good job for her - and it is - she takes it very seriously.
My husband came in, saw her cutting the fruit, and stopped dead.
She's cutting the strawberries, he said.
Yep, I said. That's her job today.
But, she's using a knife, he remarked. Shouldn't she be using a butter knife?
You can't cut strawberries with a butter knife, I replied. She does this all the time for me- it's her chore.
She looked at him and said, Daddy, I always use a knife to cut the strawberries. I'm making my First Holy Communion on Saturday. I'm not going to cut my fingers. If I did - and here she cupped her left hand into a circle and placed it on her right - my hand would look like this and then I couldn't receive Jesus. No, wait - and here she straightened her fingers out, so that her palm rose higher than her fingers in an arch - they'd probably bandage it like this. If I tried to receive like this, Jesus would fall! On the floor! And I'd be so sad that I couldn't receive.
So, Daddy, I'm fine. Go away and let me cut the strawberries.
I think she's got a better understanding than most any adult I have ever met.
Skipping your way to First Communion - that's what it's all about.
Angelic...both in appearance and words! God bless her and may He grant her many years!
Posted by: Trudy | April 21, 2012 at 04:11 PM
The pictures of your daughter are heavenly.
You captured the moment between her and God perfectly.
Posted by: Debby Pucci | April 21, 2012 at 04:20 PM
So beautiful, Carmen! Out of the mouths of babes.
Posted by: Lynn | April 21, 2012 at 04:28 PM
So precious! Congratulations!
Posted by: Cheryl | April 21, 2012 at 04:52 PM
She is so beautiful - congratulations!!!
Posted by: Lauren | April 21, 2012 at 05:37 PM
so wonderful!
Posted by: lisa albano | April 21, 2012 at 06:58 PM
How beautiful! I cried so hard when my youngest made his first communion. It's the end of "babyhood" for me. Thank you for sharing Riley's special day. Did you have a party?
Posted by: Beth | April 21, 2012 at 07:39 PM
She is radiant! What a special day for Riley and for your entire family.
Posted by: Mary @ A Simple Twist of Faith | April 21, 2012 at 08:30 PM
A great story and wonderful pictures!
Posted by: Rick | April 21, 2012 at 10:03 PM
Such wisdom from such a young one! Congratulations.
Posted by: addy | April 21, 2012 at 10:35 PM
How beautiful! In every way.
Posted by: Kira | April 22, 2012 at 12:45 AM
Wow. Thanks for making me cry again!
She is just beautiful & sooo precious.
Your pics are AMAZING, maybe you should hire a pro because mine never turn out THAT good!
Too much pressure lol
Posted by: KG | April 22, 2012 at 05:54 PM
she's so pretty!! :) They skip all the fluff and puff here.
Posted by: kyooty | April 22, 2012 at 09:29 PM
Looks like you're doing a pretty good job with that there girl, Mum!
Posted by: Donna | April 23, 2012 at 05:56 AM
The photo at the top of your blog post is just beautiful!!!
Posted by: Brenda | April 23, 2012 at 10:24 AM
She's beautiful! Congratulations!
Posted by: JMB | April 23, 2012 at 02:26 PM
Lovely story. My baby receives her First Communion in a few weeks. I can't believe it.
Posted by: elz | April 23, 2012 at 04:40 PM
Those pictures are STUNNING. Seriously. Witnessing my girls receive for the first time--those were emotional days for me. God bless.
Posted by: eileen | April 24, 2012 at 10:43 AM