Practically perfect in every way

Arms thrust resolutely backward, her tiny body quakes in fury; from her mouth, enormous with rage, a wail of defiance spews forth. Looking down upon her, it is difficult not to be amused at such an outburst of righteous indignation by such a small person. Out of respect, I suppress a smile.

Arms clutched tight around my neck, her willowy body melting into my own, familiar words emerge in a whisper from her pursed lips and together we offer the night our song. Back and forth we rock, merging into one, quelling the bustle of the day, seeking rest. Her head nuzzled against my shoulder lifts in search of my ear, in the stillness, a secret to share, "I love you Stinky Face," her voice quavers. And then a smile and a giggle.

Our whimsical beauty turned two last Wednesday. We celebrated the following evening in a rather subdued manner; no party, just a dinner. "Beautiful," she stated when she saw the dinner table fresh with the cloth and napkins purchased at the leper hospital in Addis Ababa. Slight stains left over from last year's birthday wot were quickly covered with plates and glasses as we gathered around the table to celebrate this little girl, our Ethiopian princess, our delight. "What is your name?" I quiz here for the hundredth time, not because she doesn't know but because I like to hear it roll off her tongue. "Lucia." "Yes?" "Ethiopia." "And then little one?" "Kebedech." Happy Birthday to you, little two-year-old Lucia Ethiopia Kebedech. May you grow in wisdom and strength. And may your light always shine brightly in the world, revealing the beauty all around us.

And because you know how we feel about Mary Poppins, we thought we'd share Lu's rendition of "Spoonful of Sugar."