Simply Stella (is 8)

April 17, 2024

Simply Stella (is 8)

Stella Bella is never Estelle.

She hates Estelle, though she doesn't mind much being eight. Furth more, on bad days, don't call her Stella Bella. Especially if you are Finn and employing the name to do the job of getting attention.

To her, she is simply Stella.

So starting again simply, Stella is Eight.

Freckles dropped like stars across her nose. Temperament as wild as the wind. Stuffed animals and deep thoughts tucked under her arm as she races outside into the sun,

into the clouds,

into the storm.

She leaves a litter of life in her wake, socks and underwear lifelessly hinting where she's been, paper bits telling of creation forged and forgotten. Simply Stella is light. She pours a whole world out of her and wants no barrier between her inner and outer life.

She'd rather be skin to sand, heart to air, feeling to expression. Nose nuzzling into the joy of the world, hands aching to play and care for others.

In her discomfort she locks inside her beauty, eyes big as the moon taking in new people and places.

She can swallow herself whole when she's uncomfortable.

She can can explode when she's overwhelmed, rattling from head to toe with despair.

It isn't often that she shares her mind, but when she does it is articulate and self aware. Her inner depth leaves me in awe when I glimpse it.

Stella is grateful and makes a point to express it well, and often. She will snuggle in close, catch your eye and thank you; for the food you cooked, even when she didn't like it. For the experience you offered, even when it went sour. For the unexpressed thought she saw in your actions. For the comment of encouragement, the hug, the day, the light.

Stella does not demand attention. She will not seek you out to be noticed, but if you pause the chaos of that shouts much louder than she, if you give her a bit of earth and time, she will unfold the most amazing treasures. So if you see our Stella, simply be with her, do not rush her.

Feeling comes easy to Stella. She reaches to the heart of the matter and connects easily to empathy for others. This is our Stella at eight: afraid of heights. Enamored with horses, water, the color blue and bare feet, eater of gold fish and cheese crackers, always hopeful to be the one who gets to read aloud to the family before school.