That child has been here before

Have you ever come across a child whose antics make you think they must have been here before?

My niece Maisie Mae (aka Maisie Mayhem) is such a creature. She is the youngest of 14 grandchildren and we knew from the time that she was conceived that this would likely be the case and so her arrival was eagerly anticipated by the whole family, but especially by those of us who socialise with her parents regularly, and as a result have become an integral part of her happy little existence.

Maisie was born into a world of adoration, surrounded by people who treated her as though she was special, much to the dismay of her mum who often says, what chance do I have? None of us can say no to her..... This is something that she has never taken advantage of although she knows just how to play every single one of us.

At 4 years old (nearly 5), she is a political animal, she knows how to get what she wants, but unlike other 4 year olds she doesn't want material things necessarily although she is partial to the odd pair of sparkly shoes, she doesn't scream for attention, she doesn't need to. She doesn't want to annoy, she does not want to antagonise and she never exploits the soft hearts around her. What Maisie wants is to make PEOPLE smile and she knows how to do that, she wants to remind everyone around in the most subtle of ways of what a joy life is. When you are around her you feel like you are in good company.

I just had the pleasure of spending 3 whole days with Maisie, without her parents, just me, her 2 cousins (or puppets) my sister and her nan. It happened by accident and was a last minute trip. I always knew she was hard labour but we were in for the most pleasant of surprises. That child knows how to be happy, knows how to laugh and make other PEOPLE laugh in a way that a child of her age should just not know about. Oh and she is hard labour!

So what are the things that make me think she has been here before...

She knows what family is and the fact that she was away with us was the same in her mind as though she was with her immediate family. Not once did she whine or complain of missing home, she knew instinctively she was in safe hands and was happy to be there, you can't buy that.
She is adaptable and can turn her hand to any social situation that she finds herself in, among adults and children alike.
She understands hierarchy.
She is sensitive but only when she needs to be and harsh when its called for.
She knows who is who and takes time to understand what makes those around her tick.
She knows that Green is not her favourite colour, but is partial to red, white and blue.
She knows when to be quiete and can be when she totally understands WHY?.
She knows about respect and places it well.
She knows when laughter is in order and manages to trigger it with almost every word.
She knows when a situation needs to be diffused.
She knows whose hand to hold at any given time.
She loves life whole heartedly and every quip and comment illustrates it in a way that makes her adult companions go... WHAT DID SHE JUST SAY????
She remembers every comment and situation that she has ever been in and uses adult humour in a way that 4 year olds shouldn't be able to.
She remembers things that she shouldn't and forgets things she should.
She is insightful and articulate beyond her years.
She remembers those that have passed and reminds us of them, just at the moment that a special song is playing or on a date that already has them on our mind.

There are endless examples of when Maisie has made us think 'That child has been here before'.

Maisie is a gift to us, but I am positive that many reading this can think of a child that is a gift to them. They are not necessarily bright, funny or full of personality like Maisie, but it does make you wonder sometimes, are these children sent to us as a reminder of the joy that life can bring and to remind us to embrace life as though we were 4. Are they a gift from the PEOPLE that we cared about that want us to know their spirit lives on? Whatever the reason, Maisie is here and don't we know it! I am so grateful that I am a part of her colourful life.

I know I am not alone in wishing we could press the PAUSE button and keep her as she is now forever, I say that to her all the time and she says, I can't be 4 forever, you need to get over it!