Holding Ella at 3am

The following is a short recap of a sweet moment Ella and I had the other night during a loud thunder storm.

---

BOOM!
Awake.
Where am I?

Car's outside.
Better move it in the garage.
Done.

Back upstairs.
Check on Ellie.
She's awake. Sitting up.

I ask how long she's been awake.
She whispers "da-da."
My heart melts.

I lift her up.
She squeezes my neck.
I love that.

We rock gently.
She feels heavy.
Especially when she's limp.

I'm thinking about the theology of thunder.
And praying about redemption.
And singing Cash's "I'm Free From The Chain Gang Now."

"I was shackled in chains
in the cold freezing rain
but I'm free from the chain gang now."

She clenches her blankie.
And sucks her fingers.
Her hair tickles my nose.

She's out.
Adorable.
I put her back down.

Please grow up slowly, little girl.