Little girls, I was told, are full of sugar and spice and everything nice — in a perfect world perhaps, but the author of that quote was a bit — or a lot — unfamiliar with the subject. They never had the distinct task of cleaning smeared poop from all over the crib, the girl, the rails or the wall. It’s quite an unforgettable image.

My firstborn was a beautiful baby girl, becoming more beautiful with each passing year. Born in 1965, she qualifies for some senior discounts. Talk about feeling old.

Most of you are too young to remember a song by the title of “Pretty Baby,” but it frequently comes to my mind. Another one is “Thank Heaven for Little Girls.” I hum along to Maurice Chevalier’s version. If they are unfamiliar to you, it’s my wish that you would search the internet and listen to or at least read the lyrics to both. They’re upbeat.

My pretty baby posted a new photo of herself on social media yesterday. The comment I made was, “My Pretty Baby <3”.

Talking with a friend in another state last evening, he said, “At least we agree on one thing. Pat is a pretty gal. Actually she’s beautiful”

Despite the difficult teen and early adult years, all the angst, drama and rebellion are behind us. Boys are so much easier to raise than girls because they understand rationality better where girls are an emotional wreck by the time puberty kicks in.

She walked over from next door this morning. I was getting something out of the fridge and she saw the contents. Her OCD kicked in loud and clear.

“Your fridge needs to be cleaned out.”

“Surprise, surprise. Tell me something I don’t already know” went through my mind. It has been on a to-do list for months. I needed to take care of some grooming needs. When I returned to the kitchen, the island and half the countertops were covered with all the contents of the fridge.

She washed all the shelves and drawers, threw out too many lackluster items and took them to the big garbage can outdoors. She combined multiples into one container. Then she started the task of putting everything away.

She has been an organizer throughout her life, and today it truly was a blessing for me that she simply took over.

It’s difficult for me because my grandson who lives with me is forever buying stuff and putting it in the fridge without much thought — just looking for any space he can cram it into. Despite him living with me, he no longer eats my cooking except on rare occasions so for the first time in my life, I am only cooking for one. It’s not very fun.

Anyway, I offered to pay my Pat for her service adding that if she could come for about an hour each week to help me declutter and reorganize one area at a time. Of course, she refused the offer for pay.

Over the years, Pat has become a very special person. She has a full plate just taking care of her almost invalid husband and raising a grandchild with multiple anxiety disorders and more.

She is caring and faithful. She gets very little time to herself despite being an introvert. She stays involved with family, friends and church members. She has a big heart, a compassionate heart and has become kind as well as introspective about many things.

She’s hilariously funny and quick witted, too, and very well read. She has become an impressive scriptorian as well.

One of her many talents are that she proudly speaks full-blown fluent sarcasm. She’s gifted artistically in a variety of mediums. She’s the most organized person I know.

As introverted as she is, she is also fearless and will stand up to the biggest bully without a second thought, especially if they involve one of her loved ones.

She is always prepared, too, for whatever crops its ugly head.

She spread herself extremely thin when she helped me come home from the hospital to plan my husband’s funeral. My only contribution was to request one particular song.

Once I recovered she continued to be my rock and still spreads herself thin.

When asked about that time, she shrugs and says, “You just do what needs doing.”

It brings me such contentment to look back over the decades and realize that she has become beautiful inside as out.

She is kind, smart and important as well as invaluable. She’s become a righteous woman to emulate. She’s still my pretty baby.