Erika is her name…

Today our country is wearing the color ‘red’ to show our love and support to the men and women who have sacrificed and dedicated their lives in defending  this country….Our Country, the U.S.A. What better day than today to remember my special niece, Erika Dell McFarland Newey, a member of the U.S. Air Force.

In order to give you some background on Erika’s character I must start off with a couple of important facts. Erika is my brother Rodger’s daughter and she is the 5^th grandchild in our family. The first 4 grandchildren have something extraordinary about their beginning in life.  

Extraordinary Statistics:

1.  Michael Shane Rogers – Born March 31, 1972 – Weighed 1 lb 13 oz – premature
2.  Leslie Dawn Rogers – Born October 28, 1973
3.  Jeffrey Don McFarland – Born October 28, 1978
4.  Brett William McFarland – Born October 28, 1984 – Weighed 2 lbs – premature

Notice, the first 4 all had something in common; two were born 3 months premature weighing right at 2 pounds and three were born on October 28^th.  

Then there is grandchild #5… Erika Dell. Based on all the previous statistics and the time of year, we expected her to be born on the same day as the last three babies in the family. Time was drawing closer and closer to the date and finally the phone call came.  On the afternoon of October 27^th, Rodger called to inform us that he and Beverly were on their way to hospital. The family could not believe the possibilities that this baby really could share the same birth date as the last three. But, little Erika had another idea….she wanted to be both unique and extraordinary from the very beginning. She wanted her very own special birthday. So at 6: 12 PM on October 27, 1987, she was born, weighing 6 lbs. 13 oz. And let me tell you, she was a little doll from day one; so tiny and so petite like a little china doll. She had the bluest eyes and the curliest blond hair you have ever seen. You just wanted to squeeze her into, she was so precious. I’m sure you know the feeling.

So you may wonder, like I do at times, how did her parents come up with the name Erika Dell? In questioning her parents here is what I found. The name Erika was after a little girl who lived next door to Mom and Rodger when he was growing up. Rodger said she was the most beautiful little girl he had ever seen. The name Dell was after our Aunt Eva Dell, our mother’s sister. So there you have it…the name Erika Dell McFarland.

Needless to say, she was spoiled rotten from the very beginning. Oh she was sweet, a real doll she was. And somehow in her little spirit she knew it. When I think about her as a small child there are a couple of stories that stand out so clearly in my mind that I want to share with you.

Erika was probably about 2 years old at the most. I had gone over to my mother’s house for a visit and was sitting in the dining room chatting when my sister-in-law came by to drop the kids off for mom to baby sit. Beverly had two other children Kristi and Adam, which were both very sweet and well mannered. They went right on in the house this particular day. But Erika had a different idea. She was mad, pouting, and a bit honary to say the least. I’m sure you can relate to how children can be. Well, as Erika got out of the car she went directly to the front door steps, sat down, folded her little arms in front of her, stuck out her bottom lip into the well known pouting posture, and looked down at the ground. She was determined to stay perched on that step. My mother, on the other hand had a difference of opinion. Mom demanded Erika to go inside; however, Erika stood her ground and continued to stay perched right where she was, never changing her position or attitude. After a few more demands from my mother, seeing that her attempts was useless, she tried one more final tactic. Erika Dell, she said, “I am going to count to three and when I’m done your butt better be up and off that step! 1…2…3!” As mom hit the count of 3, Erika raised her butt off the step about 3 inches, never changing anything else about her posture. But one thing for sure, she had minded my mother and lifted her bottom off the step as directed. What a site! I thought I was going to lose it. I laughed so hard I could not believe it. A two year old just outsmarted my mother. Finally, my mother lost all composure and began to laugh. What else could she do? She then scooped Erika up off the step and took her in the house completely amazed at what had just happened. I think that day was the beginning of seeing Erika’s true personality come to life. Miss independent herself.

On her 5^th birthday I had agreed to pick her up and spend the day with her, taking her shopping and out to eat. The first thing I did was ask her where she wanted to go. That was the mistake, asking a 5 year old where they wanted to go. Wouldn’t you know our first stop was McDonald’s.  She wanted a Happy Meal. After we finished our fine dining, I asked where she wanted to go shopping; thinking a toy store would be her suggestion. Much to my surprise, she wanted to go to the ‘Dollar’ store. Only problem with that was, I did not know where a dollar store was located. When I shared my dilemma with this 5 year old, her words to me were, “I can’t believe you don’t know where the dollar store is! Everyone knows where the dollar store is!” Then she proceeded to direct me to call her daddy or Uncle Jack….in her thoughts, they would for sure know where one was located. She even said to me, “You need to go to bed! Cause you don’t know where a dollar store is!” She absolutely couldn’t believe her own ears. Well, I had to some how save face with my 5 year old niece.  So I headed to town in hopes that I would find a dollar store. To my own amazement I found one in the heart of Brandon. Whew, it was sure a close call!

We proudly went into the dollar store. On our way in, Erika informed me she had $5.00 to spend. It was her birthday money that she had brought with her. As we began our shopping experience, she quickly picked out 5 items. As I looked at the prices, I informed her she could buy more items. Immediately she set me strait. She said, “Unt uh, I have 5 things….1, 2, 3, 4, 5”. She had counted them off for me and proceeded to inform me she had 5 items and they were $1 each, therefore it would cost her $5.  So there I had it all summed up for me by a 5 year old; completely logical. And believe me when I tell you this, nothing was going to convince her otherwise. So, as she directed, we headed to the check out counter. The cashier put the 5 items in the bag and Erika so proudly handed the lady her $5 bill and off she headed to the car. Only to hear the lady call her back to give her the change she was due. Immediately, Erika began to educate the cashier as she had just previously educated me. She informed her that she had 5 items and they cost $1 each ….1, 2, 3, 4, 5….therefore her total cost was $5. Well let me tell you, it took both of us adults to convince this child that she had change coming and that it was OK to take it. Truth be known, I don’t think we ever convinced her, but we did give her permission to take the money and put it in her purse.

So yes, I have to say, Erika has achieved being both unique and extraordinary. Today she is in the U.S. Air Force and is considering extending her time into a full time military career. She is a very independent young woman, yet at the same time she really is dependent on her family and friends. But, aren’t we all? …Even if we don’t always admit it? Don’t we all rely on our family and friends to be there for us? …To have a shoulder to cry on when we need it? I know, besides her mother and father, this family will always be here for Erika.

Erika calls me Aunt Lordi and I love it when I hear those words, because that makes me feel very special. Her sister Kristi is the oldest and she named me Aunt Lordi when she was just a toddler. Now, today, all 3 of those kids, Kristi, Erika, and Adam, call me Aunt Lordi…..and for certain….I am very proud to carry that special name.

This article is dedicated to the memory of:  Brett William McFarland (October 28, 1984 – January 20, 1987)

I offer my services to write memoirs and life stories of you and your loved ones. It’s as simple as sitting on a front porch sharing story after story about your life and your loved ones as you relax in a rocking chair, chattering away about what you know best….your loved ones.

Please continue to read my blog  http://rockingchairchatter.com and be sure to keep a watch for my new website  http://www.myfrontporchfriends.com/ as we continue to writie our stories.

Enjoyed the chat,

Lorraine

Lorraine McFarland lives in Plant City, Florida. She is a professional writer specializing in memoirs, life story writing, and capturing memories of your loved ones.

Copyright March 2011 by Lorraine McFarland. The author retains sole copyright to her contributions to this article.

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