Wild, yet gentle...

Is that even possible?  To be wild, yet gentle?  Liberty is a true, living example that it most certainly is.  I was visiting with Jake's aunt this morning and the words just flew out of my mouth as Liberty was tearing around outside with no shoes or coat on in the 40 degree weather.  "So wild, yet so gentle!"  Liberty will run full force, all day long, banging her toy cozy coupe into everything outside, pushing her shopping cart into the house as hard as she can, or as fast as she can to knock Bella over.  I'm constantly telling her to "be careful," and to "be gentle".  Her spirit can only be compared to a "wild one".  The song "wild one" by Faith Hill perfectly describes our girl.  She is a picture of beauty, with a spirit running free.  We wouldn't have it any other way. 

It almost makes me tear up to write about how truly "gentle" she can be.  Jake's grandma, Alfreda, is in her 80's.  Liberty has a relationship with her that is incredible, and so rare for a great-grandchild to have with her great-grandmother.  Alfreda visits our house almost daily, except for town days and Sundays.  If it's nice out, we'll ride the ranger in the pasture and point out everything we see.  If it's too cold, we stay in the house and Liberty and Bella play with Nana inside.  (We enjoy calling her Nana Loco, which Alfreda finds hilarious as well! ;) ) It is hard to describe their relationship...the best words may just be to call them best friends.  Liberty dances around always wanting to hold Nana's hand outside, to hand her her gloves if they fall on the ground, and to remind her to "be careful".  During supper a few days ago, Alfreda had a small scab on her face.  Liberty asked, "What's on face her?"  I tried to ignore her a few times, so as not to embarrass Alfreda but Liberty was not having it.  Finally I said, "Nana has an owie, Liberty, it's sore!"  Liberty proceeds to say, "Nana hurt, kiss Nana".  When Alfreda quietly starts to mention that she's getting tired and hungry and needs to go home, Liberty rushes to help her.  By helping her, I mean she runs to get her shoes, places them by her feet, grabs her jacket and helps her into it, and then zips the jacket for her.  She then hands Alfreda her purse and scarf.  EVERY day, she insists that Alfreda giver her hand sanitizer, so they then wash their hands together.  She walks Alfreda to the door and asks to "kiss her".  She kisses Alfreda's cheek, and opens the door for her.  If she forgets to kiss her, like she did a few weeks ago, she sprints onto the porch to yell it out to Nana to come back.  (She ran out there in the 20 degree cold with no clothes to do this!)

The relationship that Liberty has with her nana is irreplaceable.  I know that she is learning to be a compassionate, kind little girl...and we, as parents, need to instill this in our children.  

So, you see, it is possible to be wild, yet gentle...