22 years ago

Doesn’t seem possible it could be that many years, but it is. My little girl is 22 today.

I often think back to the time before her birth. She was comfortable right where she was at, inside me. Originally scheduled to be a Pisces, she decided to stay put for three more weeks deeming her a headstrong Aries. I was desperate to see my new baby, which led to my insane decision of taking a couple servings of Castor Oil to throw myself into labor.

It seemed like I was in the hospital a week, but it was only about two and a half days. I’ll never forget it. When I went in, the trees were barren and winter-like. No leaves, no hint of anything. On the drive home from the hospital with our new baby, the trees were full of leaves. It was as though a new season had been born for her and her alone. For this reason, I will forever associate her with Springtime.

She was a happy baby – and a happy child. So many things about her are the same as when she was little. Her smile, her laugh, her loving ways – her beauty. She will be walking across the stage to graduate college in two short months. Four years of diligent hard work has paid off for her. She’s the kind of person who will be successful at whatever she does. I’m not saying this because she’s my daughter, that’s just how it’s always been.

Several months back I posted a poem that I wrote for my daughter when she was about 3 years old, found in a lost journal. She’s read it before, but I’m gonna post it again here. No other day more fitting than her birthday.

My Julia….
It seems so many years
Since the day when you were born
I’m blessed I feel, as I recall
there will come many more.
You’re more than I ever asked for
So innocent and true
Already my dreams are answered
If there’s nothing else you do.
Believe me, bug, that when I tell
My dreams of you to some
They know, as I, that you’ll succeed
That you’ve already won.
(2-27-92)