Hi, it’s me. I have a Ten Year Old
Remembering the night my daughter was born
Welcome to Walk & Talk, my monthly offering to share stories, inspiration, and hope. I’m Kim Knowle-Zeller, mama, pastor, and writer. I’ve lived in West Africa and one summer hiked 500 miles across Spain, and now I call Cole Camp, MO home with my husband, two children, dog, and cat. I love to walk, talk, and share stories. Thanks for being here!
On the night you were born
we waited and waited
I bounced on a ball
sat in whirlpool
whispered prayers over and over:
“We are waiting for you.”
On the night you were born
I wondered about your eyes
and how you’d smile
and what would bring you joy
all the while we waited
and gave thanks for you.
On the night you were born
your first cry told me you were alive
living and breathing
now on this side of the world
I whispered your name:
“Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte.”
On the night you were born
you laid on my chest
your daddy next to us
all of us waiting to rest
in one another
and our new name, family.
On the night you were born
how could we know
how we’d grow
and change
how our hearts would fill with so much love.
On the night you were born
God chose you to be ours.
On the night you were born
your story just began.
On the night you were born
we whispered your name:
Charlotte, Charlotte, Charlotte
you are loved
the world is waiting.
Once upon a time there was a girl turning 10!
Scattered across the house — piled on dressers, tucked in couch cushions, hidden in backpacks — Charlotte keeps journals for writing and drawing. Flipping through a red Five-Star notebook I pass pages of hearts and rainbows. There’s lists of friends and favorite princesses. The start of letters to her pen pal. She practices cursive letters and works out math problems. She also writes stories. “Once upon a time there was a girl named Taylor Swift.”
After reading multiple books on the life of Taylor Swift, Charlotte is able to write Taylor’s brief autobiography, surrounded by more hearts and rainbows.
I watch her writing the stories of those she admires, but also her story.
“Once upon a time there was a girl named Charlotte. She was born in Warrensburg in November.”
“Keep writing about your life,” I tell her. “Write about what you love and where you live, how you spend your days.”
Just keep telling your stories.
I pray Charlotte knows that her words, the stories she’s telling herself about who she is and what she loves, are the most important stories of all.
Happy 10th birthday to the girl who made me a mama.
P.S. I have a favor for those of you who have read The Beauty of Motherhood. Would you be willing to write an Amazon review? They are so helpful for getting others to know about our book! Anyone can review on Amazon whether you’ve bought the book from them or not. Thank you!
Dear Kim, This is glorious and totally heart-warming! I am passing it on to our two daughters, most of whose children are now married. It's a song that every mama should hear and sing!
The very same for my sweet Matthew. Blessings! 🙏♥️