Hannah

By Margaret Wimmer

Based on a true story

Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven (Matt. 18:4).

Hannah sat under the kitchen table, crying softly.

“What’s wrong, Hannah?” Mama asked.

“I can’t do anything right.”

Mama got under the table with her and held her close. “That’s not true.”

“Yes it is. I’m always making mistakes and having accidents.”

Mama thought a moment. Then she helped Hannah out from under the table. “Come with me,” she said. They went to the hallway mirror and looked at their reflections. “Do you know what I see, Hannah?”

Hannah stared at her reflection. “What?” she asked, still sniffling.

“A very important person who’s loved very much.”

Hannah smiled a little.

“And I see a beautiful smile, too. Daddy and I love you because you are special just the way you are.”

“But I can’t do anything right,” Hannah protested. “I spill my milk. I can’t tie my own shoes or button my shirt. I can’t even write all of my ABCs.”

“Hannah, you do a lot of things really well,” Mama reassured her. “You draw beautiful pictures of flowers and animals. You always talk kindly to our neighbor, Mrs. Green. And how could I hang the laundry on the clothesline without you there to hand me the clothespins? You’re my helper.”

When Hannah still didn’t look convinced, Mama went to the closet and got out a picture album. She led Hannah to the sofa and opened the album. “Do you know who this baby is?” Mama asked.

Hannah smiled. “That’s me.” She loved looking at these pictures.

“And what a good baby you were! You couldn’t do anything for yourself yet, so Daddy and I fed you when you were hungry, washed you when you were dirty, and loved you with all our hearts.”

Hannah studied the picture.

Mama turned several pages. “This photo was taken when you were about one. You were just beginning to walk.”

“Did I fall a lot?” Hannah asked.

“Yes, you did. But you always got up and tried again. Now you can run and jump and dance beautiful dances.”

They browsed on through the book and saw many pictures of Hannah. In each photo, she was a little older and able to do more things by herself.

“Everything we learn to do must be practiced over and over before we can do it well,” Mama said. “But remember that we will always love you, no matter what you can or can’t do.”

“Just like Heavenly Father loves us—just the way we are.” Hannah remembered learning this in Primary.

“That’s right. Heavenly Father loves us even when we’re not perfect. But He also helps us grow,” she added, hugging her special Hannah.