Marika probably doesn't know how significant that moment was for Madison and me. Madison took that Hedge Hog for a walk and Madison did not fall down. The trust that Marika gave to Madison that day was the most incredible motivation I have ever seen. That moment, I realized I needed to have more faith in Madison's abilities. Marika's biggest gift to me was handing me that faith. In the form of a Hedge Hog, no less.
Often, I hear Marika's beautiful Hungarian voice in my head saying, "I trust you, Madison". And when I hear this voice, it gives me the confidence to let Madison try something new and challenging.
So......
Yesterday, when we got home from Costco, Madison asked if she could carry the eggs in. (Please cringe right now.) The initial response in my head was, "NO WAY, are you crazy?" But then I heard that Hungarian voice in my head and said, "Sure, I trust you Madison and I know you can do it." Well, Madison started to carry the eggs but realized it just might not work out so she quickly turned around and "put" the eggs back on the car seat. Just one egg cracked, but she didn't notice. It's truly amazing what just one egg can do on a leather seat. I took a deep breath and didn't let Madison know that an egg cracked.
So while I was cleaning up the slimy poultry... Madison got herself into the house through the garage, stepped in the cat's water bowl, got 10 paper towels down to wipe up the water, decided to empty the pencil sharpener (???), got pencil shavings all over her pants so she changed her pants, went into the kitchen to get some water, but accidentally dropped the cup, and got 10 paper towels down to wipe up the water.
I just realized that really sounded like "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie".
This all happened in about five minutes.
So while the Hungarian voice in my head did not lead to Madison successfully walking eggs into the house, it did give us so many other successes. Madison independently got herself into the house. She cleaned up after herself. She changed her clothes by herself. And she had the confidence to get herself a cup of water.
I was pretty wiped out after cleaning up after Madison cleaning up after herself, but so very, very grateful!!! Marika's faith has been a gift to our whole family and we will be forever thankful.
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