Fifteen years ago I gave birth to a little girl. It was the start of an exciting new chapter in my life. This picture is from our first Mother’s Day together when she was 11 months old.
Today is going to be a wonderful celebration!
After years of going through infertility treatments I didn’t know if I’d have a child then it happened . . . by the glorious hand of God I became pregnant and gave birth to a healthy baby girl. There was a complication during delivery and I ended up having an emergency c-section. As you can imagine when I finally was able to hold my daughter it was the most AMAZING feeling. I had waited so long for that day. Due to my condition at that time, the doctor said to me ‘it’s a miracle you became pregnant’. Every child is a blessing and a miracle, my pregnancy and daughter is a constant reminder. I am so grateful!
Tears are streaming down my face as I write today. Geez now I’m going to have to put my make up on all over again. LOL! All those moments over the last 15 years are so precious. Here's a few pictures that stirred up memories of baking Christmas cookies together, trips to the park and fun mornings just playing together.
My Pastor last weekend talked about how with our children as they get older instead of them having their ‘firsts’ it starts to become their ‘lasts’. That is where I am at today. Now everything we experience together I see it as our ‘last’ time. I only get a few more years with her before she is an adult and on her own to live the life God has planned for her. I’m so darn selfish, it hurts bad sometimes, I want time to slow down, I want those ‘firsts’ back. It’s bittersweet.
Dictionary describes the word bittersweet as both pleasant and painful. Yup that’s about the best way I can describe today. Happy she is growing, hurting that my time of raising a little girl is almost over. I am so very thankful to have a front row seat and watch how God continues to move through her life. Thank you Jesus!
So today I blow up balloons, put on my party hat and shout it out loud… Happy birthday Gracie!
Love always,
Mom
Here's the Poem I keep taped inside my kitchen cabinet to remind me to do more hugging and less tugging…
If I Had My Child to Raise Over Again
by Diane Loomans
If I had my child to raise all over again, I’d finger paint more and point the finger less
I’d do less correcting and more connecting
I’d take my eyes off the watch and watch with my eyes
I would care to know less and know to care more
I’d take more hikes and fly more kites
I’d stop playing serious and seriously play
I’d run through more fields and gaze at more stars
I’d do more hugging and less tugging
I’d would be firm less often and affirm much more
I’d build self-esteem first and the house later
I’d teach less about the love of power and more about the power of love
