AuburnChick's Adventures

My, oh my, how time does fly.

Twenty-one years ago today, preparations had been finalized.

This kid (meaning the one penning this post) was about to have her own child.  In fact, I was the same age as the girl-child whose birthday I’m celebrating in this post.

It’s hard to believe.

It seems like only yesterday when I had been wheeled to the hospital from my doctor’s appointment because I was going to have some serious health issues if my first-born child wasn’t induced.

After the epidural, I found myself doing what I do best…chatting on the phone…

After a not-so-difficult delivery, the details of which I will spare you, out came my sweet Chicky, weighing in at 7lbs, 14 oz and 20 inches long…

She was beautiful…even scored a 10 on her second APGAR test!

The Mr. and I took our beautiful girl home, where we attempted to be the kind of parents we’d envisioned ourselves to be.

I’m pretty sure that we were NOT advised to sleep with our child, but when you’re nursing around the clock and frightfully tired all the time, you do what you’ve gotta do, and Chicky didn’t seem to mind a bit…

Chicky grew and thrived, despite the parenting mistakes we made along the way…

Before I knew it, she was celebrating her first birthday.  Back then, I wondered, in amazement, how quickly time had flown.

Back then, we didn’t have blogs.

What we did have were writing utensils…the old-fashioned kind.

I have always loved to write, and the feelings that I had when my baby turned a year old needed to be captured.

I sat down that evening and wrote my girl a letter, which I mailed to her with her birthday card since I can’t celebrate her special day with her in person.

I re-read the letter before I mailed it and found myself very surprised at how timeless my feelings were.  I realized that the core of what we feel for others doesn’t really change over time.

Sure, they can evolve.

And yes, they can disappear.

However, the love a mother has for a child…well…that’s something altogether different.

It grows stronger, but at its root, it ultimately is just…well…LOVE in its purest form.

I’d like to share the letter I wrote my Chicky all those years ago.

January 22, 1993

My dearest Chicky,

Today is your 1st birthday.  It is amazing how quickly the year has gone by!  It seems like only yesterday when I was holding you in my arms for the first time.  What an incredible feeling that was!  It is something that words cannot describe.  You were so beautiful!  We had been anxiously waiting and praying for you, and to finally meet you took our breaths away.  The pain of childbirth was forgotten instantly, and in its place was, and is, this rush of LOVE!

Every day this year, I have watched you grow and learn.  Sometimes, I am sad because I know you are starting to need me a little less.  Always, though, I am excited.  With each new skill you master, comes another open door.  Watching you learn has given me a fresh perspective on the world.  You notice even the smallest things, and now, so do I.  Your creativity has led me to be more creative.  There is something I never realized before becoming a mama – that is that although our children learn much from us parents, we learn alot from you, too.

Chicky, always know how very,very much I love you.  Every time I see you smile, hear you laugh, or feel your tiny arms around me makes me love you more and more.  I thank God every day that He has given me the privilege of being your mom.  It is not something I will ever take for granted.

I love you dearly!

Love,

Mama

And now, my message to my girl on her special day.

January 22, 2013

Happy Birthday, Chicky!

You are and have been such a blessing to me!

I have watched you grow so much…even in the last few months…handling some of the most difficult situations a person can go through in such a way that makes my jaw drop open in awe.

I am more than proud to say that you are my daughter, for you excel in every area of your life.

May you continue to grow in God’s grace.

May you continue to trust in His plans for your life.

May you find joy in each moment you are given and lean on the Lord for His comfort during the times when it is difficult to feel joyous.

May God put into your path the perfect help meet…a man who loves God as much as you do.

All of these things and more are what I wish for you on this day, your 21st birthday.

Love,

Mama

Chicky – 1 Year Old

Filed under: children | Tagged: childrearing, children, parenting |