132 Months...Happy 11 Years

I keep thinking about it. 11 years. Really? How did this happen? How did these 11 years fly by? It amazes me. Every day. But especially on birthdays. I really think about what is going on.

Last night she asked me to tell her the story. The same story every year. "Tell me about the night I was born..." is always the request. I understand. After all, that was a favorite tale of mine. A frequent request of mine, a family story I wished my own Mother to lay down. She always would on request. Or my Dad would, depending on the situation. Dad was always great about stuff like that.

I was happy to tell her. I pulled her close, hugged her tight to my body. She looked into my eyes and I started. I told her about how we started out that day, shopping for that night's groceries. We went to the Farmer's Market at Fashion Island, just to wander about and look for fresh produce. We walked around the booths, and Rob collected the fresh stuff for that night's dinner. I kept having contractions, but thought it was "Braxton Hicks" and not something to be concerned about. After all, I was not due for 3 more days. I just KNEW I was going to be late. I was wrong.

We got home. I laid down for a really deep, strong nap. When I woke up my water broke. I went down stairs and told Rob, and his response was "Should I cook the fish???" (that he had in his hands). The rest, is history.

Now, 11 years later, I look at my daughter and marvel. This beautiful girl is mine? She is my daughter? I am SO very proud every day. She is a young lady that has empathy beyond her years. She holds the hand of her Grandma that has such advanced Alzheimers that she does not know Zoey, and has not for so many years. And yet Zoey loves her Grandma, and when we visit she holds her hand, kisses her face and loves her. And on some level I know Henny knows all of this. This young lady will hold my hand, or give me that tight hug when I am having a hard day and whisper in my ear..."Grandma knows we are doing great"...to tell me she knows I am missing my own Mom and wishing she was there to witness my girl's growth. She is holding me up? Who should be so lucky?

All I want to say, after these 11 years, is what a lucky Mom I am. How incredibly blessed I am. To be the Mother of this amazing girl? I'm blessed. I cannot believe that this beautiful, empathetic girl is mine. How proud my Mom would have been of her. How proud I am.

I love you baby girl. Happy 11th birthday!!!