SARA MARGARET WITSCH

 Written by Terry Conner 

   After four wonderful grandsons, my granddaughter finally arrived.  She was worth the wait!  She is capricious and exuberant with an electrifying personality.  Her winning ways and disarming smile can talk you into about anything.

    Kari told me this story about our little charmer.  When she was three and Kari had to reprimand her, this is how she handled her mom.  She would go to her, smile sweetly, and repeat several times in a soft, sweet voice;  “It’s okay mommy, don’t worry, I won’t do it again”; all the while lightly stroking her mother’s arm.  Now, I ask you, who could be angry with that little angel?

    This next little ditty happened to me several times while she was staying with me.  I would walk into a room without having said a word, and she would spin around facing me with her hands behind her back and pipe up “nutin Nana”.  I couldn’t even keep a straight face. 

    All of Kari’s children loved to have dinner at Nana’s house and Sara was no exception.  She especially loved a little poem I used to help them with their manners.  “Little children if you’re able, take you’re napkin from the table.”  She truly delighted in saying this poem whenever she spied anyone’s napkin still out.  Sara always left a small amount of milk in her glass so that when she asked if she could be excused, she knew I would respond, “Okay sweetheart, after you finish your milk”.  It was kinda “our thing” and it happened every single time.  Sara gave me a small brass dinner bell for Christmas and so loved to help me get everyone to the table by ringing that bell.

    At 3 ½ to 4 years, Sara had an extensive vocabulary, but did have trouble saying her L’s and R’s.  How we delighted in her remarks about how much she loved the dogs.  My dogs were Rocky and Lady, and theirs was Roley.  She would mean to say, “I really love Rocky and Lady and Roley.  I love them a lot.  Really I do.”  It came out…” I welwee wuv Wocky and Wady and Wowee.  I wuv them awot.  Welwee I do.”  It was too adorable. I wish I had a tape recording of that, but it does play in my mind and heart.

    We were invited to share in Sara’s 4^th birthday party. Kari always lets the children choose what they want for their birthday supper.  That evening we dined on pizza and corn!

    At Christmas, we gave Sara dance lessons.  She was thrilled, but unfortunately we had to wait several weeks for her first class.  Waiting is very hard when you’re four.  The morning of the first class, we got ready and ran some errands while we waited for the promised hour.  She was a “wired child” and kept chirping at me, “Nana I’m so sited”.  When we got out of the car at the dance studio, she somberly whispered in my ear, “I’m very happy about this, you know”.  Made my heart sing!

    Whenever I had Sara, and it was time for her afternoon nap, I would always read her a story.  Well, I should say, we’d read it together; and her adlibs kept this nana very entertained.  Sara has a wonderful and magical imagination.

    Sara had her Bonka wrapped around her little finger.  He has a lot of company though; we are all there.  She is fun and loving and everyone loves to be near her and share in her infectious laughter.  Keep smiling, my sweet princess love, we all enjoy you so very much.