I have an amazing Mom and sister…If you ever wonder where I found my love of writing, here is a portion of a letter my mom wrote to us this week. Sometimes the things you most wish for in this life are right in front of you! I never had girls, but I am blessed to share in the lives of my nieces and some of my very best friends have girls who I get to share!
My Precious Birthday Girls,
I think of you both almost constantly this time of year as your birthdays roll around one more time. I question if I should have let you have the same birthday as the doctor wanted to induce me on the 30th. I remembered Elaine had to share a birthday with our brother, Ed, and Mother always said that he hated that. I thought you deserved one day just for yourself. I still think so!!
You can no doubt relate to what I am about to write. Everyone was so happy at your births - (Amy you didn't get sick for a day). I loved being pregnant with you both - carrying you close to my heart, always knowing you were safe from all harm and YOU WERE MINE! I could meet your needs without worry or fears. October 30, 1959 and November 2, 1964 are dates stamped on my heart . I had to start sharing you!
Janna Christine, you were our first miracle and you almost blew us away. I remember your Daddy saying he could not believe you were ours. You started life held in arms - your Daddy's, your Grandma's and mine. Colic kept you there and when you weren't crying, we held you anyway. You never stayed within the bounds of my "schedule" carefully designed for my first child. Hundreds of memories hang in my mind like the tiny dresses that hung in your closet. I dressed you in those darling, beautiful dresses day after day. Dirty you were not UNLESS you and your grandma were "gardening" - playing in the dirt I called it! You were such a funny little one - arms reached out for you at every turn and thankfully you were always "selective". I smile thinking about you and your Catholic church. How you hated those black draped nuns that we always encountered on our walks to the store. They all wanted to touch you and you refused to even look at them. I could fill the pages with memories that spring up from my heart - treasures that I cherish. I hold you there in my heart with love and prayers always.
Amy Marie! I would like to be able to report that your arrival in this world was as carefully planned as your big sister but that would be less than truth. You can always claim the honor of being God's idea from the start. What an awesome idea! By the time we got you home from the hospital, you were never on schedule - there was none! Your life hung in the balance over and over and at times I felt like I spent as much time on my knees as on my feet! I remember coming home from the hospital without you and telling Janna that we might not be able to keep our baby. Her reply echoed in my mind over the years many times, "God gave her to us and He won't take her away from us". Ah, the beautiful faith of your "seester" and, ah, the thousands of prayers God answered as you remained on the St. Timothy prayer chain for almost two years. Everyone knew you! - the infant in my arms, the baby draped around her Daddy's neck, the child clinging to her Daddy - yes, still in his arms. Rob would have had you in his arms if they were big enough. He thought you belonged to him and as the months rolled on, Grandma, Daddy and your mother vied for "positioning". Many the nights the first year, I carried the black rocker into your bedroom and slept within its arms at the side of your steam-draped crib. Janna slept in the bed nearby. In these twilight years, I can treasure even those moments when strength drained and prayers "rained" with tears for you. AND I remember the Saturday night, sitting in the bathtub, when I finally told God that you were always HIS idea and I had no more strength and no more words to form prayers for my baby so He could have you back. The next morning the hospital called to say your fever suddenly dropped to normal in the night and you were eating again and we could come and get you! I never doubt for a moment that our Heavenly Father has His hand on you and a special plan for your life and my heart sings praises for that and YOU - off key but singing!
Always and always and always, my LOVE,
"Your Mama"
Xoxo
For those of you who don't know me well…I spent the bulk of the first 2 years of my life in the hospital. I was baptized there at 3 days, surrounded by a very loving and praying family.
Feeling blessed today…1 more year before my AARP mail!!
CoffeeTalkMom
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