When she was a little girl...

by Steven P. Velasquez
November 22, 2012

Nicolette, my first born (now 16)

When she was a little girl, every holiday was celebrated at her grandparents' house.  Whether we were up in the Pocono's with Pop Pop and Grandmom or in Rutherford at Abuela and Abuelo's house.  Regardless,  the food was always delicious, the house warm and the family -- beloved.

Abuela's Thanksgiving ham

When she was a little girl, I used to hold her little hand and cross her across this street. 

Today, for the first time, 
I watched her park her mother's car in front of Abuela's house.

When she was a little girl, I used to pick her up out of her child seat from my vehicle and throw her over my shoulder with a blankie.

I'd hold her close and listen to her breathe while protecting her from the cold.  Today, she lets herself in and out of the car on her own, and from the driver's seat (no more booster).


When she was a little girl, before putting her to bed, I'd put her in a warm pair of footie pajamas and hold her tight until her eyes became heavy, and she'd go to sleep on a cold winter's night.
 
 

 It's a good thing some things don't change.  She's still my little girl...

Happy Thanksgiving all!  God Bless!!