I didn’t know what the “terrible twos” were until I met Heidi. She hit two and the cute little girl turned into a nightmare. She would throw tantrums for no reason, hit people, throw things, lie, stomp, whine and complain. It was such a stark contrast to her surroundings- living in a family who explodes with love, would take on the world for her and parents who spoiled her with anything she could ever want. Not getting her way was usually nothing more than getting the wrong flavor of popsicle.
I was SO excited when that little girl was born. But when she hit that pattern of behavior, I stopped trying to play with her. Usually never even talked to her because she would say something nasty. If she ever came up to say hi or give me a hug, it was like the earth stood still for a moment awaiting the four horsemen. I still loved her, but it was from a distance.
And then, somehow, I ended up playing basketball (badly) outside with my cousins. It was warm (as in, not freezing) and we were excited to be able to run around outdoors. A couple of them left and a couple went inside, including Bella, Heidi’s older sister. Thinking Heidi would want to go in as well to watch a movie with Bella, I prepared to follow them in. But the stubborn little stinker refused. When she was told that everyone was going inside, she pointed to me and said, “I want to stay out and play with Kay Kay.”
Erm, srsly? I warily agreed.
As things usually happen, it was the best time I have ever spent playing with her.
I held her up to dunk the ball. I chased her around. We kicked the ball back and forth and then threw it to one another. She demanded that I put down the second ball because she wanted us to share. She said hilarious things that had me in stitches. She wanted to see my car and climbed in the seat and honked the horn. She told me funny stories. She went inside to use the bathroom and dragged me back out to play again in the dark. She talked to the neighbors. She held my hand. When we were finished she told everyone what a great time we had, and when she left a little while later, she thanked me for playing with her and told me she loved me.
Just like that, the terrible twos were erased. She became a beautiful, lovable, loving little girl. It was there all along, but we just had to wait for her sweetness to come back and love her in the meantime
I’m so thankful that God never gives up on me. He greets me with such love even just after I throw a fit over silly little things. He knows that a sweet girl is there, deep down inside, and patiently draws her out. He loves me when I’m unlovable.
