It is official. We now having living in our home....A TEENAGER! Paige has gone and turned 13 on me. Even though I knew it was going to happen, it still takes my breath away.
Where is the premature baby born too early? The one who weighed 3 lbs 7 oz. at birth? The one who lay in an incubator while I sat outside of it crying my eyes out. I would sit and watch her teeny tiny form with all the tubes and wonder would the day ever come when she would completely be mine. To hold and rock and dress in pink frills.
What a beautiful day in May it was when I was finally allowed to take home that sweet little baby home with me. My mother held the infant car seat hostage so that she could be with me when this happened. I didn't dress her for the ride home. Nana did. I didn't hold and rock her while the doctor gave me last minute instructions. Nana did. Little does Paige know that the expectation of her arrival and time spent in the NICU* would heal and bond my mother and I to the point where I would have been completely satisfied to have my mother's arms around me for eternity and never complain again. My mother's love for my child showed my own mother's love for me so bright and pure that I still have yet to recover from it some thirteen years later.
And now she is practically grown. She has been through alot, this child of mine. But, she is so strong in personality and intellect, that I am in constant awe of her abilities. One minute she is the emotional teen that just knows the world is against her and how will she ever survive???? The next? She is a young woman with insight and a motherly sister to a three year old...showing much love and patience with him as he is just starting to learn about this world. She is the sister that holds her younger sister beside her on the couch to watch a show, sharing her blanket and giggling with her over nothing.
She frustrates me. She makes me laugh. She makes me think. She makes me want to hand the world to her on a silver platter. She makes me believe in a good future. She makes me believe in love.
Happy Birthday, My Ro. You are so loved and needed in this family. Without you? We are not complete.
Now go ride that brand new bike and forget about driving a vehicle for a while. It ain't happening. Oh...and don't forget to wear your helmet.
*NICU- For those of you who are so very blessed not to know. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
3 comments:
You picked a great day for her to have a birthday.
I love you my Mama!!!! I feel so happy that I could just absoloutly bust and I wouldn't be surprised! I'm glad that I could be put here in you by God to bond you and my Nana, because every mother and daughter deserve the kind of love I see you two demonstrate. I hope that one day you and I can at least have 1/3 of the love and compassion I see between you and Nana!
I love you Mama and Nana!!
<3,
Paige
P.S. everyone, my bday was on saturday..
my baby, you are the brightest star that will shine for a long time. You are our world, even though we want to knock you over the head most of the time. You have been one of my greatest joys in life. I wanted your mother the same way she wanted you and life has had its ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade a thing. I love all of you very much.
Post a Comment