Thursday, August 21, 2014

She's 15


Fifteen today.  This one.  My first. So many firsts.  And she eases along.  Finding her way. Figuring out.Testing her wings. But hanging close.


This mother and daughter thing.  I question every single day.  Every. Single. Day. Am I preparing her? Am I giving her wings? Am I doing this right?  Am I teaching her everything she needs to know? Will she be ready?


You're 15 today.  In my mind we should still be singing our guts out to Disney songs.  Instead it's on an ever rotating pop radio station where every song sounds the same (to me) but still manages to make us break out in spontaneous dance every now and then.  In my mind I should still be able to lick my thumb and clean a smudge off your face.  Instead, you pull down the mirror from the visor and inspect it yourself.  In my mind we should still be questioning if you have four apples and take away one, how many apples do you have.  Instead you have complicated equations and formulas and variables and my mind can't wrap around it by listening alone.  I have to sit next to you, read it, get my bearings, read it again and take a deep breath.


A deep breath indeed.  You've made it to 15 in a blink of an eye.  It seems impossible and yet completely right at the same time.  I don't want to travel back or keep you a little girl.  For then I would miss all that you are right now.  All the stories we've shared along the way.  All the funny things. Wondrous things.  Scary things.  Quiet things.  Loud things.  Remarkable things.  And seeing you grow up has been exactly that.  Remarkable.  Something to be remarked upon.  That is why I reminisce every year on the day you were born.




Each step with you is a joy.  Each day a gift.  I'm so lucky to be your mom.

Happy Birthday Sweet Girl!

I love you.  More than words can say.
Love,
Mom

22 comments:

yarnivorous said...

Happy Birthday!
Fifteen! Wow!
Dana, I'm not a mum but I reckon if your 15 year old is still talking to you, then you are doing a pretty good job.

Kar said...

Such a beautiful young girl you have Dana! Don't change a thing with what you are doing in raising her. It sounds like you are doing a mighty fine job. : )

Happy Birthday!

dolores said...

Another good reason for any misspellings....you have a 15 year old!!!;)

Love your yearly musings....you're doing good girlie...you're doing good!:)
xo

Toohey said...

Beautifully expressed!! Thank you for sharing. My daughter just turned 16 and we still hang out and have Harry Potter movie night. Sing and dance as much as you can!

The Cozy Pumpkin said...

Aw! What a sweet post, and what a lovely daughter you have. :) Having met you now...I would say that you're doing a darn good job if you parent as well as you "friend." ;)

Trudi said...

15! Happy Birthday! Dana you are a great mom! Clearly! Exactly what Dee said! Xx

Jacque. said...

Beautiful thoughts put into beautiful words for your beautiful daughter. Happy Birthday!

Paige said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter! I hope you got to celebrate with her in a special way!

sallgood said...

Beautiful! Beautiful words, beautiful girl! :D

Cindy said...

sweet post to your daughter! Happy Birthday!

Osage Bluff Quilter said...

Happy Birthday to your #1 daughter! I loved your post, great job putting into words what we've all thought before.

Wait did you mention driving soon?!?!?

Mcm said...

Wishing your daughter a very happy birthday and an extra special day. Truly beautiful words for a beautiful daughter. Celebrate!

Denise in PA said...

She's 15 and she's beautiful! What a lovely post. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!

Denise in PA said...

She's 15 and she's beautiful! What a lovely post. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl!

tara said...

I enjoy these posts every year. My oldest turned 15 on the 15th. When I read your birthday posts I think of my girl and how quickly every year goes by an didnt you just say she was now 13

DebbyMc said...

Oh, Dana, you made me cry. She is beautiful. In every way. Precisely because of all those things you were questioning whether you did right. You sure did do them right, you were and are present, you are there when she needs you, even when she might not think so. I say it over and over, "Being a mom is the hardest, best job there ever was or ever will be." Happy 15 to both of you! Hugs ♡

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

Happy Birthday to your daughter. That apple isn't going to fall far from the tree. You're a great mom and have a lovingly close family. So blessed.

Beth said...

Happy Birthday! You are an amazing Mom and you have amazing daughters.
Enjoy every moment. Those birthdays keep coming faster and faster.

angela said...

she is beautiful and I am sure you are the best mom in the world!

Lara said...

Happy birthday! Wowsers! This means I've been following your blog for 5 years!!!! Wowsers :) hope you celebrated too Dana! Milestone for you too xx

Jackie said...

Awww. She looks just like you. I hope she had a wonderful birthday. You are doing an amazing job, really.

Mama Said Sew said...

I hope she had a fabulous day!