Tina Marie was born June 13, 1978. At last everyone was in agreement about something. The entire family decided categorically Tina was the most beautiful baby ever to grace the earth! An angel in a infant suit, sent by the Almighty to link a disjointed family she connected all the dots. Tina was the only family member directly related to each one of us. Like gravity on our small planet ….. she pulled the family together.
The very day she came into our lives each of us sensed the uncontested momentousness of her being….. sparking an incredible atmosphere of awe…as if a breath were being held. Even Penny, the family Staffordshire Terrier seemed to understand Tina Marie was special, immediately claiming the baby as her own. Amazingly subdued and gentle, Penny stood guard and refused to let Tina out of her sight…. always at the child’s side… diligent… watchful.
There was no jealousy or arguing when it came to caring for Tina. Everyone contributed to her well being and she became a group project. We would place her on a fluffy pink and white quilt in the center of the den floor……turn on the television……and watch her. Laughing as she conquered each new behavior, unaware of the profound influence this small heavenly child was to have on each of us. To this day, when trying to recall an incident or event, Tina’s arrival in our family, and departure from this earth, loom very large……significant signposts that give direction in the chronicle of our lives.
Enveloped by long, soft brown lashes, her startlingly beautiful sky-blue eyes were uncommonly brilliant, almost translucent …..pale whirlpools that seemed to engulf even complete strangers. She would fix those eyes on some unsuspecting person holding their gaze… until they became mesmerized by her timeless beauty. As if by telepathy, they would be drawn to her, down an aisle of the supermarket while she sat expectantly in the cart. Her fine strawberry blonde hair curling in a myriad of cow-licks… a head full of miniature smiles… her peachy cream, chubby little legs, playfully kicking… her tiny, plump hands holding on to the cart……..all the while focusing that cherubic little smile…..a seemingly angelic vision to the approaching face.
Virtually impossible to pass by without a word or a smile, people would bask in the warm friendly aura surrounding her. You could sense the desire to touch her hand or hair.. as if they needed confirmation her presence was indeed physical reality. It was astounding to witness this unbelievably exquisite baby’s charisma, the depth in her large, intelligent eyes making her appear devoutly unique……even ageless. She seemed to discern the innermost essence in people; the humanity of each individual, thus enabling an adaptation of her humor to suit a frame of mind. Aspiring to comfort or please whomever she was with while remaining consistent in her mild patient nature…..her warmth…..made one feel chosen..somehow complete.
Tina Marie led a perfectly full life as the “Melton Princess” each experience absolute and complete ….each heartfelt touch cherished by those who loved her. Sleeping contentedly all night from the very day she entered her mortal body, she required very little sleep during the day. She held court from the throne of her playpen, benevolently ruling the entire family; brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins……whomever was present or happened to drop by. Never demanding or spoiled…always light-hearted and mindful….the attention she received was almost requisite…….it just seemed like the natural thing to for all of us to do……spending every minute we had with her…loving her.
Tina slept between her Daddy and I…the ultimate contraceptive….sheltered and nestled snugly in our big warm bed. We delighted in the softness of her skin……her small chubby little body would mold itself to ours….the sweet scent of clean powdered baby…..aromatic therapy for tired worn out parents.
Tina never had to experience one day of sickness….one hour of sadness or grief…..one minute of abuse in her more than abundant life. She fell only one time bumping her head on a coffee table. I believe that to be the only injury she ever received that made her cry. She crawled up her Daddy’s leg as he stooped to pick her up, immediately comforted while a small pale blue bump formed on her noggin. That little brush with a coffee table caused us far more discomfort than it produced for little Tina!
Tina was ten months old and I could not wait for my mother to see her beautiful new grandbaby.
