((From Mary's Point of View))

Many years have passed since the day I delivered Sara. I now have 5 children. Each of them are special in their own way. Annie is five weeks old. The twins just turned five. Joshua is ten. Sara is fifteen years old. I look at Her and I am amazed.

I am also terrified because I know that the day is coming. It is the day that I dread. How do you let go of the child that you carried for nine months? How do you let go of the child who is your pride and joy? How do you let go of the child that you want to hold forever. But I know I must let Her go.

It may seem to you that I don't love the other children as much as I love Sara. Nothing could be further from the truth. I love all of my children the same. But I have loved Sara the longest. She's the oldest after all. Joshua, Elizabeth, Alexander and Annie won't have to deal with the same challenges that Sara will.

I think as a parent the hardest thing is finding the balance. You don't want to be too overprotective because that can stifle a child. You want to be positive and encouraging and at the same time you want to teach your child right from wrong. It's a lot harder when you have 5 children and one who is perfect. We have to make sure that there is no sibling rivalry so we often would make as big a deal over the other children's smaller accomplishments as we did about Sara's.

((Flashback))

"Sara," Joshua asked, "Can I ask you something?"

"Sure sweetie," Sara said, "What's up?"

"We should make a pact"
Joshua was only five at the time.

"Okay," Sara said with a patient smile, "What are you thinking of?"

"That we will always be close," Joshua said, "Even when that day comes... when you see me in the future"

"I don't need a pact to tell me that," She said, "You're my little brother and my best friend"

"But what are you going to see that day," Joshua asked.

"That day," Sara replied, "I am going to see my little brother and my best friend. Nothing is going to change kiddo"

((Flashback ends))

Sara had always been great with Her brothers and sisters. It was as if they were able to understand what the other one was thinking. The little ones would follow her everywhere she went. I see it is getting time to start dinner. I put up the dinner. I call Elizabeth in to help me set up.

"Why doesn't Sara ever have to help," she asked, "or the boys either or Annie"
I smiled.

"Well first of all," I said, "Annie is 5 weeks old. I don't really think she can do much of anything at the moment. Secondly the boys help out a lot and so does Sara. I just want to spend some alone time with my daughter today"

"Really," she said, "Cool"

She excitedly told me about her day. Then she asked if we could have an apple pie for dessert. I started to say no but then I thought about it. What harm could it do?

"Only if you help me make it," I told her

She grinned. She loved cooking. Dinner started a short time later.

"Can I say the prayer tonight," Elizabeth asked

"Sure," My husband told her, "Go ahead"

My mind went back to when Sara was five years old and she first asked to say the prayer

((Flashback))

"Sure," my husband said, "Go ahead Sara"
She closed her eyes, folded her hands and bowed her head.

"Thank you Abba," she said, "For all the gifts you have bestowed onto us. Thank you for this food we are about the receive and for the family you have given unto me. I love you. Amein"

((Flashback ends))

"Thank you Abba for the food we are about to receive and for the blessing that you have given unto us. Amein"

"That was great Elizabeth," Sara said cheerfully passing her the bread.

"Thanks Sara," Elizabeth grinned.
She was beaming because she loved when her sister complimented her.

"Mom," Sara asked, "Are you okay?"

"Yes I'm fine darling. Thank you darling."

"You are worried about the day that is to come aren't you," She asked

"You read me well," I told Her, "Sometimes I do think about it."

"I know," She told me, "But it is not for a long time yet and I am not going to be gone any time soon and I will not be gone forever."

"I know darling," I said, "Pass the peas please?"
She smiled and passed me the peas. After dinner was over Joshua and Alexander helped me clean up. Sara read to Elizabeth and I overheard them talking.

"Sawa," Elizabeth asked Her

"Yeah Elizabeth," Sara asked gently

"Why were people mean to you yesterday?"

"Do you know the little lamb we have out in the barn? The one you named Plow"

"I know her. I love her. But she's different then the other lambs"

"Yes and I'm different from other people. Because I'm different from other people they don't understand me and they don't know how to be nice"

"Why don't you teach them how to be nice," Elizabeth asked.

Sara chuckled.

"One day I will," She promised

"Cool," Elizabeth said, "Can you take me outside to play?"
Sara took Her sister outside. They had a little time to play before it got too dark out. It was a long day. Elizabeth had a busy day ahead of her tomorrow. She was going to be going to lessons for the first time ever. Girls weren't allowed to go to school but our neighbor gave private lessons and Sara had taken them. Sara ended up teaching our neighbor more then the neighbor had taught Her. I was going to caution our neighbor not to compare Elizabeth to her sister.