All of my close local friends have children. Six years ago when the first one was born I loved her instantly, as if she were my own. Since then my friends have had a combined number of five more, and I have loved each one of them as my own. I don’t mean to do that, it’s just how I feel. I show up to their houses, and while I am there they look into my eyes with love and I look back with love. They hug me, they hold my hand, they ask me to pick them up or to play or to help them get something off a shelf or to help them draw pictures or to push them on the swing or to read them a story or to have me listen to them read me a story, and I do. And it’s hard for me to leave them because I want to take them with me but I can’t do that because, well, legally they’re not mine. So instead I have a wall of their artwork that I am slowly building up to remind me of them when I can’t be with them. The newest addition comes from Jasmine, the first of all my friends’ children, who had this conversation with me at her mom’s birthday tea party:
Jasmine (runs up, wraps her arms around me, hugs me): Want me to draw you a picture?
Poppy (wrapping my arms around her): Of course I do!
Jasmine (letting go, staring into my eyes): What do you want me to draw?
Poppy (because she had just shown me her My Little Pony story book): Hmm, how about a pony?
Jasmine (thinking hard about my request, remembering she just read me a story about a cat): What about a cat?
Poppy (my heart instantly melts): Ok!
I hung it up as soon as I got home. :love:
You can’t turn down that kind of request.
I can SO see you being a ‘kid favorite’…that’s too cool.
I framed my grandkid’s artwork today…5 11×14′s worth.
They make me smile. :smiles:
aw, so cute.
I, too, have friends’ and relatives’ kids that I would consider my own in my heart…I know exactly how you feel.
I love that picture! And I saw Rainer last night
That is SO cool!
I love undiscovered artist masterpieces.
:love:
SO “CUTE!
Now I know what they mean when critics say “it was much better than CATS”
My niece is getting older (12 in March), but she still draws me pictures. I hang onto every single one and put them up.
Now, when she visits me or I go down there, she leaves me little notes that she writes in my spirals or legal pads (you will never find me without one).
She is the most incredible tween. I am just sad because she is starting to get that teen attitude, and I don’t get hugs anymore. And all I have to do is exist to embarrass her. It’s not me; it’s any adult. But I still love her with all my heart, and will never cease loving her.
The Absurdist is probably right, but lucky for you, Poppy – you’ll always be the cool friend!
My sister-in-law is a Bengal’s cheerleader and my kid WORSHIPS her.
That picture is awesome!
Very special. One of a kind.
Awww, how sweet! Came here via Dawg and judging from his post, I can tell you’d be the kind of person that kids (and adults!) would warm up to quickly.
omg that is so freaking cute!
altho, I did recently mention to a mutual friend that I am shipping 2 of my cats to you which would leave you with 5 and me with 4 which is totally fair. You can have the Evil Grey Rat and Ozzy who is convinced that a kick in the head is in his immediate future so he’s all high strung and freaks out with the slightest movement because he’s not exactly sure when the kick in the head is coming, dontchaknow.
That was some serious run on typing there.
Geek, nope. And why would I ever want to? Heart. melted. Kids are so awesome without even meaning to be.
Tug, I’m in it for the hugs. :winks:
Crys, yes. :love:
Mish, isn’t it awesome?!
Bearette, yah, I :pinkpuffyheart: that photo. Yay to seeing Rainer!
Dawg, yah. :love: She’ll be discovered some day and I’ll get to tell everyone I was one of the lucky ones to get one of her original pieces.
Wah, way better than CATS. But, same level as cats. (Sorry, I love my girls as my kids.)
Abs, not looking forward to them outgrowing the hug stage. My niece is already there.
Sybil, I *hope* I’m always the cool friend. I don’t really know many of my parents’ friends, and I certainly don’t give them hugs, but then again I didn’t know any of their friends for my entire life, whereas I’ve known these kids since day one.
Dan, soooo true.
BlondeBlogger, welcome! I am slightly more reserved with adults, but with the kids it’s love at first sight.
Miss Ann, my lease says only three kitties! Wait until I move somewhere with no pet restrictions and I will GLADLY take any of your kittos who are driving you insane.
:winks: