at age seven.

When I was seven

like her

we didn't have a digital camera.

My memory

is so full,

bursting with

pictures of the mind.

When I was seven

like her

we didn't watch many movies.

I thought up little

stories that my

Barbies and stuffed animals

acted out.

When I was seven

like her

I wanted to be a writer...

still do.

I'm thankful for my childhood.

When I was seven

like her

I didn't understand that

childhood was

simple.

I was the oldest and

that can be hard.

When I was seven

like her

my Mom was constantly sick from

chemotherapy treatments as she

battled cancer.

I was afraid.

When I was seven

like her

I grew up in so many ways.

Life wasn't always playing kitchen.

Dressing up.

It was bottle-feeding infant brother.

Mommy losing all of her dark hair.

Daddy being scared.

Being at Grandma's house while Mom went to the hospital.

I'm so thankful for her childhood.

Sometimes it hits me hard.

When I correct her and she says,

"You don't know what it's like for me at my age, Rachel!"

I can only blink back tears of wonder...

because I don't.

She is taught the beauty of simplicity;

has the blessing of a healthy,

life-loving Mom.

I was taught the value of every moment;

had the blessing of keeping

and continuing to treasure

my Mom.

I can only trust that

these are the lessons

we were and are

meant to learn

at age seven.

And I am thankful.