When Emily was getting ready to turn 3 years old, which happens to be a week before Christmas, she decided she wanted a puppy. She was a very easygoing, laid back baby and we wanted something small that she could hold and play with and wouldn't knock her down.
Look at that face. How could you not get her a puppy?I found a breeder who had two dachshund puppies, a male and a female, so we loaded the three kids into the suv and head out. When we got there, we let her pick the one she wanted and she chose the little female.
On the way home, she was sitting in her carseat between the two other kids. Heath was 12 and Les was 9 at the time. Emily had the puppy in her lap, petting her with those pudgy little baby fingers. Emily has always had a very calming way with animals and the puppy was completely chilled in her lap, not being playful or rambunctious at all.
I asked her, "Hey Emmie, what are you going to name your new puppy?"
Very quickly, enunciating precisely and definitively, she stated, "I am naming her Olivia."
John and I looked at each other with furrowed brows and I said, "Well, that's a very unique name. Where did you hear it?"
"It was my mommy's name," she said.
"What are you talking about? I am your mommy."
"Not you, silly," yes, she called me silly. "My mommy before you."
She said it in a way that she felt like I should have known it. Like it was common knowledge just as normal as her brother and sister sitting right next to her.
"What happened to her?" I asked.
"She died."
And that was the end of it. Heath and Les were, of course, giving it the do do do do, do do do do, but she never said anything else about it.
Please don't think that I believe my dog is the reincarnated mother of my child's former life. That is ridiculous.
Olivia is still with us. She is 14 years old. She can't see or hear very well anymore, but she is still healthy and active.
If you ask Emily about any of this now, she doesn't remember one bit of it, but I will never forget it.
The mind of a child. They are closer to God than any of us, in my humble opinion.
ReplyDeleteWhen Isabel was newly-four, she prayed and prayed for me to have a baby. I was pregnant (a surprise) two weeks later.
Of course, she did pray for a girl, and we got Gabe...
I think it's a great story; Olivia and Emily are adorable :)
How mysterious! I love that story. And Olivia is pretty darn cute (as is Emily).
ReplyDeleteI'm having so major goosebumps at this moment. What a cool story!
ReplyDeleteThey say that children are closest to the other side..from just coming from there. You know how newborns smile when they sleep. My neighbor told me that was them playing with the angels. They they had just come from heaven and still were in touch so easily with that side.
ReplyDeleteWho knows. We won't get all the answers until we die. My grandfather used to say dying will be life's greates adventure!
Wow what a story. I wonder she remembered at that time to say that. Or if maybe whe had just had a dream about it.
ReplyDeleteI just love the things that come out of kids' mouths.
ReplyDeleteThat is definitely an interesting story. Good for you all for sticking with the name.
ReplyDeleteLook at that little hot dog.
ReplyDeletegreat mom let everyone know what a freak I am. And to be honest I do remember this a little bit.
ReplyDeletedo do do do, do do do do. My daughter sees dead people, really.
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