Yesterday was a big day for my oldest.
This girl turned me into a Mom 13 years ago and changed my life forever.
On July 15, 1999, I was young and had no idea what I was in for. Grace turned our world upside down so quickly and had us wrapped around her little finger in no time. Steve and I were head over heels in the worst way. Nervous too. I honestly thought my heart was going to explode with love for this wee girl.
There are a couple of moments from that summer that are etched in my memory forever...
I'll never forget one thick humid summer evening. I was sitting on our under construction front porch staring at her lying in the pale blue basinet All of a sudden I was aware of what a gift she was to our family and I felt a peace and a happiness and an awe that I can't even to this day put into words. At that moment, there was no where else I wanted to be and nothing else I wanted to be doing than being her Mom.
Another time, I was driving our 1990 blue and grey striped F150 truck along a country road and she was right beside me, facing me in the cab in her carseat. I wanted to have her as close to me as possible and so she was in the middle seat. These were before the days when there were front air bags! I remember this wave of love and gratitude coming over me. I remember vividly, like it was yesterday. Feeling like the luckiest, most blessed person in the world. I remember feeling rich. Thirteen years ago, we were living on hardly anything. I was on maternity leave and Steve still serving his apprentiship and at night school two evenings a week. We were living on very little. But on that summer day. On that country road. With my baby girl beside me, I felt like the richest person in the world.
These days, she is not so wee. Yesterday marked her thirteenth birthday. I am so proud of her and delighted to be her Mom. She's becoming her own person and blossoming into a lovely young adolescent girl.
Hang in there Mom's of toddlers....all that hard work pays off :)
These past 13 years have been an adventure. I love being her Mom.
Happy 13th Birthday Grace!
