For My Parents....Happy Birthday to Me
When it comes time to celebrate my birthday...each year I remember the two people who are now gone, but were there for my very first birthday
So today is January 11th….the day of my birth all those many years ago.
The day wont go by without me thinking of my mom and dad. How could it? Of all the people who love me and have loved me, on this day, they are remembered and missed.
It would be nice to have a time machine and go back to this day all those years ago. I would like to see their faces as I came into the world….hear their voices, hear the welcoming words they had to say.
Ive heard, over the years, the many stories accompanying my birth….how many hours it took me to make my way into the world….how the doctor had to use forceps to get me out (maybe I didn't want to come out!) and how ugly I looked for the first few days because of those forceps….and then I remember how many times my mother told me the story of how beautiful I was after the bruises went away and how the nurses and doctors all commented on what a pretty baby girl I was (but of course!).
I would like to see myself wrapped up in a pink, baby blanket, held tightly in my father’s arms. I have a pic of him, tattered badly, holding the baby who is me at a very early age. It's a treasure. I would like to peek into my mother’s hospital room to see her taking care of her first (and what turned out to be her only) child and to see that all those many years ago, she was happy and glad that she had me, despite the ensuing years and all they did to our relationship. I would like to see my grandparents and aunts and uncles hugging and kissing my Mom and Dad and congratulating them. For what could be happier than the day a baby is born?
Most of all, I would like to peek into Joe and Emma Jo’s hearts to see all the love that only a parent can have for their newborn baby, for no one in the world loved you, planned for you, wanted you, as much as your parents did.
Its a special feeling….this once a year thing called birthday. Its the day that you remember how very special you are (and we all are) and how very much you were hoped for, excited over and loved. Throughout life, there are many people and many events where we all know those feelings….but never again, will there be two people who unconditionally loved you as much as your mom and dad.
And so to my Mom and Dad: since neither of you could be here with me today….Ill say it for you ……HAPPY BIRTHDAY SALLIE ANNE! WE LOVE YOU!
(and I love you too Mom and Dad)
Comments
AUTHORJoan: I think I began thinking this way after my Mom died 8 years ago...I mean, our birthdays arent just about us. They involve our parents too and I find that entire part of a birthday, kinda sweet and tender and I guess sad too since they arent here to celebrate.
I never really thought about my own birthday from your perspective until I read this story.
Now, I find myself going inside my old memory box in my head. I can remember certain events back to around the age of two. Those are memories that let me know my mom and dad loved me very much.
But, now, after reading this, I wish I could have known how they felt on the day I was born. I'm sure they must have felt the very same as my husband and I felt on the day that each of our three children were born. We felt very proud and blessed (maybe a little scared, too)!!!!
Thanks for a very interesting story that made me remember sweet memories of my parents.
- AUTHOR
Kathi: Your analogy to having your Dad place you on a pedestal, more than hit home with me.
"brown baby biscuit" really grabbed me too!
You need to have your own hubpages :)
Amazing perspective as usual.
Your story caused me to wonder what my parents were saying on the day of my birth. I was the youngest of four and their only daughter.
I believe my dad started building my pedestal on the day i was born and he kept it in perfect condition until he died nine weeks ago at age 96.
I was known as my mother 's shadow and her little lamb and her brown baby biscuit in the summer months.
Never a day in my life did I doubt that I was loved truly and completely. What a gift.
Happy birthday indeed Sallie Anne.
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