Move over Marty Markowitz!
There’s a new mayor in town and her name is Lilian Birdie Shepard!
Lili – I can’t even BEGIN to tell you how many people you smiled at today. I can honestly say it was close to 35. I’m talking a full grin from ear to ear revealing your two bottom front teeth, arms and legs flapping with happiness, a little laugh with each person you encountered and bright shining eyes with long lashes blinking. Oh – and the little ponytail with yellow bow I put on top of your head like Pebbles. You were like a cartoon drawing of a baby come to life.
An older Dominican grandmother blew you kisses and said, “She is like a little doll!”. A girl wearing gold hoop earrings and a bedazzled “I love Hip Hop” T-shirt said, “How you doing beautiful?” A woman in blue running shorts wearing an ipod bent down at the corner and tickled your bare feet saying, “So nice to have bare tootsies on a hot day now isn’t it?” An older man with sailor tattoos said, “Those eyes! God bless you. Such a happy baby.” A mother with a little girl stopped and backed up to see you because the young girl said, “Mommy! Look at the cute baby’s bow!” Two women in burqas pointed and smiled at you with their eyes. A teenage kid on a skateboard waved to you. A bald Jamaican elevator repair man asked your name and said, “Bye little baby!”. And these were only a handful of those happy faces.
Because I was strolling you from behind each time someone engaged with you I had to peek down in front and see what you were doing. When I looked down there I would see you – giant happy cooing baby of the year face in full glory.
Thank you for being my little smiling daughter Lilian. Making friends wherever you go. You bring a smile to my face as a result. Even pre-caffeine.
Should you run for mayor you have my vote.
I love you.
xo
