Stella

[edsiejka]

Stella


by Edmund Siejka



We were visiting our grandchildren
And heard that one of them
Was having a hard time
Freeing himself from a car seat
Concerned or
Perhaps just a little curious
I asked our four-year old granddaughter,
Stella, show Grandpa how you get out of your car seat.

Staring in my face with a slow full gaze
Her blue grey eyes held me in check
And I was afraid to ask what she was thinking
Her little fingers moved like lightning
And before I realized what she had done
She was unbuckled.
See? Grandpa that’s how I do it.

Offering my hand as she got out of the car
She answered, I can do it!!
And without another word
She jumped out.

She knew that my wife and I practiced yoga
That evening as shadows crisscrossed the summer skies
Stella called out to us
Standing in the center of the living room
Like a little porcelain doll
She waited until we were seated
Then she began
Her smiling face and small hands
Made all the moves from the one-legged stance
To arms touching heaven.

We clapped and hugged her
Surrounded in our arms she called out
Mommy, Mommy come see what I can do.
Repeating all the moves for her mother
She ended her performance
With a graceful pirouette.

Glowing with pride and accomplishment
The spirit of this four-year old child
Captured our hearts.