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CHAPTER 1
My Little Birthday Princess
Waiting for your birthday is like trying to catch a fistful of air or counting the twinkles of stars when you are the youngest of five children in the Mitchell family. It feels like forever and a day! At least, this is the way it feels to Breanna Mitchell, who is now opening her big, brown eyes to November 4, her eighth birthday at long last!
"Wake up, my Little Birthday Princess." Her daddy's gentle words fall upon her ears with the warmth of the morning sunlight. Just seeing her daddy's smile makes every day special because her daddy's smile captures his love of family and reflects his gentle spirit. In her daddy's smile is a promise of beautiful things to come. Breanna knows that her daddy's promises are good as gold and never broken.
"Good morning, Daddy," Breanna says with outreached arms.
"Shh ... softly ... do not wake Sivi. I want to spend a little quiet time with you on your birthday before everyone is up for your big party. Put your shoes on and tiptoe to the kitchen. I have a surprise for you!"
"Yes, Daddy." Breanna looks at her 12-year old sister Sivi, who could sleep through a jet engine under her pillow. Everyone in the family, except her daddy, teases Sivi about her ability to easily sleep through an earthquake or rock concert! Breanna's mama had to put a special alarm clock in their room, the Alarm Meanie, to wake her up for school. (If Sleeping Beauty had an Alarm Meanie," teases her brother, Johnny, "the Prince would have no role in the story!")
As always, Breanna follows her daddy's request to tiptoe to the kitchen.
With the house stilled by the early hour, Breanna finds her daddy sitting at the kitchen table waiting for her. Her eyes bulge when she sees her favorite breakfast on the table – fluffy French toast sprinkled lightly with powdered sugar and an abundance of juicy strawberries. A cold glass of chocolate milk makes it perfect.
"Wow! For me?" Breanna exclaims!
"Of course, a special day deserves a special breakfast! That is why we are going to celebrate together before I'm off to work!"
Nonstop waves of giddiness and anticipation sprinkle Breanna's breakfast chatter as Mr. Mitchell listens attentively, providing every sentence with heartfelt gestures, nods, and laughter.
Born too soon, too small, and too fragile, Breanna's doctors worked tirelessly to save her life eight years ago. Today, looking at his daughter – strong and healthy -- enjoying her French toast and chatting excitedly about her long-awaited birthday party, Mr. Mitchell's heart is full of prayers to God and appreciation to the medical team for saving Breanna's life: Thank you, God, for my Little Birthday Princess!
"Felicia, Sabrina, Cheryl, Ethel, Cassie ... all my besties are coming to my party! And guess what else, Daddy? When Mama got home from work yesterday, she made her white mountain layer cake with marshmallows and buttercup frosting for my party Umm ... so yummy! It's going to be the best party ever!" With a tinge of sadness, Breanna pauses, sighs, and says," Oh, Daddy, I wish you didn't have to work today."
In her heart, Breanna understands that as a mailman, her daddy often has to work on Saturdays. She loves seeing him dressed in his blue uniform and slender necktie – standing tall and handsome like the star basketball player he was in high school. What Breanna or her siblings will never know is that Mr. Mitchell often volunteers to work extra weekends to make sure his family's needs are met and also to make sure a few surprises are possible for his children.
Mr. Mitchell leans over to give his daughter a gentle kiss on her forehead. "I have a surprise for you, my Little Birthday Princess." He opens his hand to reveal a silver box, topped with a frilly, red ribbon.
"For me?" Breanna exclaims.
"Well, you're the only Birthday Princess I see," laughs Mr. Mitchell. Seeing the sheer joy on his daughter's face fills Mr. Mitchell's heart with great happiness.
Eagerly, Breanna unwraps her gift to reveal a beautiful heart-shaped, gold necklace with a sparkling Topaz gem in its center.
"Oh, Daddy! It's so pretty! I love it! It's just like the one we saw in the window at Branford's jewelry store! But you said it was too expensive, so how ..."
"Shh ... Turn it over, and read the special message." Breanna then turns the necklace over and reads softly:
"... I have done my best." 1 Chronicles 29:2.
(Continues…)
Excerpted from "My Little Birthday Princess"
by .
Copyright © 2019 Beverly Boone.
Excerpted by permission of AuthorHouse.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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