Young.
My aunt hands the small being to me, sparse haired but still with curly brown locks, and no eyebrows to speak of. Warm and tiny, but with bright grayzel eyes I adore. Pearl. My new baby cousin, given to me by the best Aunt in the world. Pearl slowly blinks up at me, eyes adjusting to my face. A new sight, and one she would be seeing frequently throughout her life. I touch her tiny hand, and she wraps her small fingers around my one. There are “awws..” across the room, but I pay no attention. My eyes are only on perhaps the most precious and important person I’ve ever come across, and she closes her eyes again, falling asleep. Aunt Avesta gently takes her a while later, since my arm has begun to hurt.
Months later, I remember jumping into my aunt's car on a Friday, like I typically do.
My second favorite relative cuts her eyes at me, looking at my hair freshly braided the night before. I laugh, begging forgiveness as we head towards her home, the baby next to me sleeping in her car seat. As we reach a light, Pearl slowly opens her eyes, round and filled with warmth. I bop her nose, giggling. “How are you, Miss Pearl?” The baby smiles and gives me a small fist bump. She picks up her doll, flipping her and actually saying..”Flip! Flip!” My eyes narrow as I shrink against my seat. I’d never heard that word from her before, and it surprised me. But the baby, energetic as she was, only kept flipping her doll.
I admired her for that. Yes, a baby, but even as she sat and had virtually nothing to do, she smiled. Always smiling.
Another day at my Aunts, I was saying goodbye to Pearl, when Aunt Avesta brought her over. I waved, saying: “Goodbye, Pearly Pearl.” I looked at the small child, and, as I expected, she was smiling. I held out my hand for a high five and the one year old gave me one, then a small fist bump. She’s so amazing.
Most people, and sometimes even children, never smile. Never laugh either. Never play.
Pearl does, and she is a happy baby, cared for by wonderful parents. She never stays sad long, and even after a few seconds of being upset, she’s back on her feet, smiling and giggling like the amazing person she is.
Young, but inspiring, Young, and loved, Young, and admired. Always.
