22 years ago today, I left my home to journey to a place I had never been. As I turned to take one final look at the place I had known as home, I thought to myself, “When I return to this place my life will never be the same.” This journey would introduce me to a great teacher who would change my life forever.
As I anxiously awaited the arrival of the Teacher, my emotions covered the spectrum. I experienced joy, peace, love, fear, and sadness. What would the Teacher think of me? How would I greet the Teacher? What would I say? Would I be good enough for the Teacher? Would I be what the Teacher expected? Would the Teacher be disappointed or excited at our meeting? All these questions and many more made a race track of my mind. They ran up and down and down and up for hours on end.
Finally, at 8:45 a.m. on November 17th, 1988 the “Teacher” arrived. She was female, a little less than two feet tall, and absolutely beautiful. The moment our eyes met every question literally evaporated. She looked at me as if she knew me. Perhaps we had met before. I could tell from her stare that she loved me and more importantly, I could tell that I loved her right back.
I’m sure by now you know that this journey was to the land of Motherhood and the Teacher was my daughter, Christian. But, why would I call a newborn a “Teacher”? I call her “Teacher” for the many lessons she has taught me over the past 22 years.
Someone once said to me that “God wants to love you through someone else.” God wanted to teach me how to love and be loved unconditionally despite my many flaws, faults, and failures and He used this Tiny Teacher to share that lesson. I knew nothing about being a mother; but, it didn’t matter to her. She loved me any way. When she cried with colic, we both cried because I didn’t know what to do or how to fix it; but, she loved me anyway.
Through the years it has been the same. I have made many mistakes as a parent; but, she loves me anyway. I’ve had to deal with a number of situations that were foreign to me as a parent-her first date, her first kiss, her fist heartbreak, her first victory, her first defeat and many other “firsts”. Some I handled well and others not so well; but, she loved me any way.
When my heart ached for whatever reason, she taught me that Love would see me through. Not just any Love, but “her” Love. And I am oh so grateful!!!!
So today baby girl, I CELEBRATE YOU. I celebrate your birth and all that you have brought to my life. I celebrate the many lessons you have taught me—far too many to list here. I celebrate the joy you have given to me. I celebrate the beautiful woman (inside and out) into which you have blossomed. I celebrate the love you have shared with me. Most of all, I celebrate God choosing me as a channel to bring you into the world. I am blessed and honored to call you “My Daughter” and I will always cherish both titles given to me on Thursday, November 17, 1988—“Mother” and “Student”.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, CHRISTIAN!
I LOVE YOU!!
