My little girl has been reading my posts over the school holidays. She has read about her brother, her father, her poppy, her friends, but only a little of herself. She has asked me to write about her. It is hard to know where to begin.
Although it is not her name I call her Lu. My Lulu.
For those of you living with an adorable but difficult child, this post might be a little hard going, I want you to know that I have one of those also, he features frequently. If you are yet to meet him you can read about my much loved little man here.
When I had my first baby it was just her and I for the majority of the time. She came with me when I went to the Doctor, the hairdresser, the dentist. For several years we were never apart. I recall writing to an old friend when Lu was six months old; I told her that prior to knowing my baby I had not experienced happiness, I had not experienced love; I thought I had, but my precious little being took these emotions to an entirely new level. I wrote in that letter that everyday was Christmas, and that is exactly how I felt.
As I am writing this I am realising that there is simply no way to put Lu into a paragraph. I do not know how to tell you that it was my two and a half year old who accompanied me to countless blood tests and scans. Who wiped my tears when I cried, and who held my hand and walked with me when the days were dark. It is Lu who has taught me patience, calmness, and the value of family. Lulu teaches me more every day. I am truly in awe of her easy going nature, her positive outlook, and her inquisitive mind.
There have been times when I have yelled at her, when I have spoken harshly or not taken the minute that she needs. I may not forgive myself for these mistakes, but Lu forgives, every single time. She helps me in so many ways. The simple ways; tidying up and calming her brother. The nurturing ways; cuddling me, kissing me, and praising me. The invaluable ways; showing me how to be a better person than I am, and insuring that I focus on what is important and the morals that we hold.
I can barely recall life without her and do not want to. She is a part of me. There have been many times when I have found it difficult to identify exactly where I stop and Lu begins, for so long we were one. I understand that part of parenting is letting go, but I hope with all my heart that the unity we have never leaves us.
Another name we have for our Lulu is ‘chook’, and she has named these cookies. We consider them a sweet and sustaining sister to our snack bar. I hope you like them.
Chookies Cookies
3 tablespoons roasted almond butter (for a nut free version use 2 tablespoons of hulled tahini and 1 tablespoon of honey)
1 cup (200 grams) cooled roast pumpkin
2 cups desiccated coconut (finely shredded dried coconut)
10 medjool dates, deseeded
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon vanilla
pinch of salt
Preheat your oven to 175 degrees Celcuis or 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Line a tray with baking paper.
Place the ingredients into your food processor or blender. Blend the ingredients until well combined and your dates are chopped. Using your hands shape the mixture into balls and place on your oven tray. Bake for 15 – 20 minutes or until golden. Allow to cool. Enjoy.
Check out the delicious oaty version here.