Small Mercies

Callie

“You did it, Callie,” Momma cried when she found me outside of the building where my graduation had just been held. I watched as she let the tears fall and not even try to wipe them away.

“Mom, please stop crying,” I said to her with a smile. I knew how proud she was of me. I was proud of myself too. It wasn’t easy but I managed to get two degrees even with all the extra responsibilities I had that others didn’t.

“Momma,” I heard my daughter, Maddy, yelled as she ran straight to me and wrapped herself around my leg.

“Chipmunk!” I yelled and bent down to pick her up. “Were you good for Pawpaw and Gigi?” I asked her as Daddy took her from me and gave me a hug. Maddy nodded her head yes and sent me a big toothy smile. I laughed. Her smile was my favorite thing about her. I loved nothing more than seeing her smile.

“We better get going. Everyone will be at the house before us at this rate,” Momma said drawing my attention from Maddy.

It was nearly a half hour drive from Atlanta to my hometown, Brownston, and with Momma telling Daddy to slow down every five minutes, it felt like hours.

When we finally pulled up in front of my parent’s house, there were already people there. My Gigi had stayed behind to finish making all her famous pies that everyone in town loved. She was standing at the door greeting Dr. Mayford and his wife, Mabel, when I walked up with Maddy in my arms.

“Callie, congratulations,” Dr. Mayford greeted me. “And miss Maddy, you look like you have grown three inches since I saw you,” he tickled her under the chin making her giggle.

“I did,” Maddy smiled. She wiggled signaling for me to put her down and she ran into the house most likely on her way to the backyard where everyone would be.

“Slow down, Maddy,” Momma called after her as she walked up behind us. I sent a smile to the Dr. and Mabel before squeezing past everyone to make sure that Maddy didn’t get herself into any trouble. At three, she had a tendency to do that and more.

When I had made it out to the backyard, I scanned the area and found Maddy dancing with my younger sister, Anna. Maddy loved Anna so much because she was always down to have fun with her. They spent a good amount of time dancing. Anna had done ballet from the age of five and she now taught Maddy twice a week. I was thankful that she did it for me for free. I was thankful for all my family truly for helping me with everything since I told them I was pregnant with Maddy.