Birthdays for children are so special. It’s a fun, exciting time for you and your children. Watching them run into the kitchen all bleary-eyed from a good night’s sleep and just waiting to get their day started. They can’t wait to open birthday gifts and have an ooegy, gooey piece of birthday cake later in the day. They love to hear the “Happy Birthday” song, over and over.
It’s their day. All their day.
But it’s your day too.
That feeling you get when you remember the birth of your child is so special. It’s a moment felt by only you. Although your spouse may have been by your side, the moment that baby was born and you heard that first cry, your heart bursts with joy, elation, gratitude, love — oh, and RELIEF!
The birth of your child is like nothing else. And each child’s birth is as memorable as the first. Every birthday is “your day” to remember.
As a grandmother, I can tell you that the feeling never goes away. You will always feel that special moment of love, elation and bonding that occurred when your child was born – no matter how old you get. Savoring those precious moments when you brought a new life into the world is one of the greatest joys and blessings of being a woman. Knowing that you nurtured and carried that child for 9 months is something that only you could have done.
I had that feeling today all over again. My oldest daughter’s birthday is today and I can still see the wrinkled nose and square head. I recall the tiny cries and waving arms and legs as the doctors handed her to me. I remember pulling back the soft blanket to count her toes and fingers, touch her tiny nose, and kiss her crinkled forehead.
My daughter is “x-ty something today” (we won’t go there!) but it’s like she’s still my little girl. She has 3 children of her own and she experiences these feelings with each child’s birthday as they come around. She is a mature, independent and intelligent young woman now with a beautiful family of her own. Somewhere along the line, our relationship evolved from mother-daughter to “best friends”. It was gradual, subtle and wonderful.
But today is my day to remember and cherish the thoughts of the day she was born. It’s my day to feel such deep love and joy for all she means to me. And it’s my day, if just for a moment, to pretend that she’s my little girl again.
I love my children’s birthdays more than any day of the year and I will always cherish those memories of “firsts” that happened the day that they were born. Cherish every moment while your children are young, because they grow up so fast. Although it’s a cliche, it’s all too true.
Today is my daughter’s birthday — but it’s really “my day” because I am so blessed to have her.
Happy birthday my baby girl. I love you more today than ever.
So sweet!