Number Eleven
Eleven years ago we became the parents of four children. Her birth was swift and frightening, and at the end of the experience we were grateful beyond words for good doctors and a baby who made it. A beautiful baby girl – the biggest of all eight – weighing in at 9 lbs 4 oz. On the way home from the hospital we stopped to buy a birthday cake at the insistence of our toddlers at home awaiting her. I vividly remember walking into Dairy Queen with a two day old baby to buy a little ice cream cake and have her name put on it in frosting. My mom laughed when we arrived, but her older brothers and sister had been talking for weeks about how a baby couldn’t be born without having a birthday cake!
Now she is eleven, and I must say that the same word I used to describe her as a baby and toddler still fits today, and has fit every day of her life. She is a delight.
She requested the lunch that has become a birthday tradition in our family. I purchased her favorite snacks, foods and treats and wrapped each one individually, putting it in a gift bag for her lunch. For dinner, her first request is a dish that has, in my mind, become connected with thoughts of her. She wanted black bean tart , and as it is one of my best but most time consuming recipes, she has been my #1 helper with this recipe for at least a year now, often making it herself. I made four of them today for dinner, and must confess to accomplishing little else this afternoon. Was it worth it? For her smile of surprise and joy, yes it was.
And while she never tasted that first ice cream cake eleven years ago, it continues to be her request EVERY year.
A kind and gracious sister, it was sweet to watch her open gifts. I realized tonight how pleasant it is to give gifts to one who is naturally inclined to be appreciative.
She is so many things: helpful, hard working, thoughtful, sharing, intelligent, responsible. I am so blessed to know this dear, dear girl. And so happy for all the delightful years we still have with her.
Happy birthday to my beautiful, precious daughter.
I love you, Mom
