I have told stories about boys for three days now–a boy who filled my heart, a boy who fills the world with art, a boy who left an empty place when he left. Today, let’s talk about a vivacious pair of girls!
Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands abdicated this week. She is now styled Princess Beatrix and her son rules as King Willem-Alexander. He is the first Dutch king in over a century and will be succeeded by his daughter…let’s hear it for the girls!
The first trip I ever took overseas with my late husband, Richard, was to the Netherlands. I read everything I could find about the country before we went. He laughed at me for buying a Dutch phrase book then forwarded me a news story that reported Dutch high school students have a broader English vocabulary than American high school students. Ah. I turned to less educational and more atmospheric reading about this tiny country. Bill Bryson, one of the most entertaining travel writers in the history of passports, tells a story about the great love the Dutch felt for their Queen Bea. It was her habit to walk freely around the city, running errands and greeting her fellow citizens. When Bryson heard this, he remarked, “But who protects her?” His Dutch friend laughed at the silly question and replied, “We all do!”
Our Vivi’s middle name is “Beatriz,” the Portuguese spelling of Beatrix or Beatrice. I’ve always loved the name, ever since reading about Petrarch’s sonnets to his love, Beatrice. G and I had already picked the first name and were tossing around ideas for a middle name when I rediscovered Beatrice. It was a done deal once I heard him pronounce it “BAY-ah-treez.” The name means “bringer of great joy” and never was a name more aptly applied to a little girl. Her first name means “vibrant and full of life.” Yes. Yes she is.
She is naturally VIVACIOUS
Often times AUDACIOUS
Even sometimes VEXATIOUS
She’s got a streak of RAMBUNCTIOUS
And a double dose of LOQUACIOUS
Even at five, she is SAGACIOUS
And just a touch PUGNACIOUS
Oh my gracious, I love her so.
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Ashley Garrett
Most of all I love the pictures, Ashley. What a delightful little girl, Vivi is! I wrote this about mine about ten years ago, and you’ve made me brave enough to put it here.
A lovely little song bird found a place in my arms,
then slipped away to sit beside me for a while.
She sang to me chronicles of happiness and Cinderella dreams.
She sang of white horses, bright tiaras, and pink turreted castles.
And when her song gave up its final note, she lifted gossamer wings
and flew away to her appointment in the forest of lost hatchlings.
Her songs became sighs as she disappeared through whispering branches,,
Now the fading sunlight shows her halo on a lonely pine.
Oh, Chris. Thank you.
What a delightful gift to find in your life!
Especially at the age of 38 after a divorce and being widowed! I lived with so much fear that I wouldn’t have children. I got my wishes!
Makes you enjoy every minute, doesn’t it? Well, not EVERY minute?
There are a COUPLE of minutes that are less than joyous, but my baseline is pretty grateful!
What a beautiful lil girl! Her smile is precious!
Remember, she is Daddy’s little girl
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