Today is the last day my daughter Katie will be in her twenties. Tomorrow, on January 13th, she turns 30 years old!!! It’s an amazing miracle since I only just turned 29 on my last birthday :). Don’t remind her, though. She’s not very happy about this leap into the next decade. Ah, youth….she doesn’t understand that she is only in her prime. The seasoning comes much later on.
The day before Katie was born I met some friends I used to work with for a Chinese lunch. I can’t remember what I had, and I didn’t know that 24 hours later I would become a mom. I do remember it was a sunny day, and I was gushing to my friends about my happiness and excitement of having this baby. I couldn’t wait for her to be here. At 3 AM the next morning, I awoke with the first pangs of labor. The beginning snowflakes of a major blizzard were just beginning to fall. I took a shower, packed my bag for the hospital and waited patiently as the contractions got hard enough to go to the hospital. I made the rough, bumpy trip in a pick up truck, since I wasn’t sure how deep the snow would get. My beloved Dr. Tsai was already at the hospital. Labor was hard, ending in a C-section, but at 12:33 PM my little 7 lb. 10 oz., 19 inch baby girl made her appearance into the world. Little Katie Lynn. She was born with her eyes wide open, looking toward the light and that is the way she has always lived her life. She has also plowed her way successfully through many of life’s blizzards.
As an infant she never slept, too curious and afraid she would miss something. As a little girl she was a leader among her friends and to Megan, she was an annoying but loving big sister. She was always a good friend, thoughtful and kind and generous. Katie’s had her ups and downs in life but has always worked through the tough times and landed on her feet. She has become a talented teacher and loving fiancée to Blake.
I thank Kate for teaching me how to be a mother and Megan for joining her for those lessons two years later. Being a mom was not the easiest job in the world, but it was the most fulfilling. It seemed so hard at the time, and I used to long for the days when they would be grown and I would have some time to myself. Little did I know that when that time came, I would long for the days when they were little. I didn’t realize how much I would miss that precious time together. I can say with conviction that being a mom is the only thing I’ve done right in my life, and I thank God every day for the blessings of my daughters.
So I raise my glass and my heart to you today, my sweet girl. I ache with pride for the woman you’ve become. I wish you all good things in life and more happiness than your heart can hold. Enjoy each moment and live your life well – keeping your eyes wide open and looking toward the light. And don’t sweat the big “30,” Kate, for the best is yet to come!
susezit 