A Tribute to My Daughter on Her 30th Birthday

Can I really have a child that just turned the big 30!? How is that even possible!

Her birth is as vivid a memory as if it were just last night that my water broke sending me that short trip from college married housing to the hospital. (Very short trip). I remember how the excitement mingled with fear and even a little trepidation.

Michelle's birth was an absolute miracle! It wasn't perfect, not everything went without a glitch, but it was pretty amazing!

I remember as they placed her in my arms, I looked at the doctor and said "Wow! That was incredible! I want to do that again!" He laughed and confessed that he had never in all his years heard that in the delivery room. Did I mention he was near retirement?

I didn’t understand unconditional love until that moment in January of 1990.

I looked into her beautiful face and knew without a doubt that I would give my very life for hers without hesitation. I also understood that my life would never be the same again.

She was the most beautiful baby I had ever seen, perfect round head and pretty coloring. She had these big blue eyes that were filled with wonder and curiosity. I still see that when I look into those eyes after all these years.

Michelle suffered from colic - I don't mean a little fussy each night for about an hour - I mean big time colic baby. Screams that tore my heart right out of my chest. These bouts were intermittent throughout the day and night. (If you are living there right now - I PROMISE that it is temporary!)

Even as a young child she was very sensitive to those around her. It seemed that she had the ability to pick out the child in the classroom who most needed a friend and then attempt to show them kindness and grace.

As I celebrate her 30th birthday, I can't help but smile at the teen years that just about drove me off the deep end. Often times I wanted to steer the ship of her life rather than let her find her own way. The hardest part of parenting for me was not in caring for my children but in the releasing. No one ever claimed motherhood is easy!

I have my fair share of regrets and wish that I would have done some things better for my children. However, with all the mistakes I made, God was gracious and merciful, and they are all wonderful adults today of whom and I am very proud!

I hope that Michelle will tell her own story on the pages of this blog someday - but it's her story to tell.

I will just say that she is one strong, beautiful, intelligent, artistic and independent woman who is stepping gracefully on her own path!

I sure love that girl!

Until next time, step gracefully!