Yesterday was my older daughter, Katie's, 17th Birthday! Whoa! How the heck did that happen? Looking back the years seem to have flown by. It doesn't seem possible that the tiny, fragile little baby I brought home from the hospital is about to start her senior year in HS. And that next year at this time, she will be getting ready to spread her wings and leave the nest. Somehow 17 seems so much more grown up than 16! I can only imagine how 18 will feel. *shudders*
I can still vividly remember sitting on the sofa with four day old Katie in my arms. I was an hormonal post-partum disaster and I was sitting there holding her and weeping. I was so sad because she was already "four days old". Even then time was flying by. If only my future self could have reached back in time and given myself a hug. I would have held on tight, eyes tearing up and I would have commiserated. I would have said, "Yes, I know. It's unbelievable. Your baby is growing up. Right in front of your eyes. Hold on tight."
And hold on tight I have done - for most of the past 17 years. Of course, I've had to loosen up the reins the bit over the past few years. And yet here I sit. Feeling the reins slipping right through my fingers. Well, I'm not going to let them go completely yet. I've got one more year. I'm going to take my own advice and "hold on tight".
Happy Birthday, Katie. I love you more than you can imagine. And as much as you need me to let you go now, I want you to know that I am always here for you to come back to. You will always be my baby.
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13 comments:
Happy Happy Birthday to Katie. Happy SITS Saturday Sharefest to you!
Holy cow 17. That seems like eons ago. Where DOES the time go? Well Happy Birthday Miss Katie. Enjoy this special, lovely day!
Happy Birthday, Katie! I remember that second week so well when we came to visit. You were so tiny....and so beautiful. Where has the time gone?
Happy Birthday Katie, and to you Pam, you've done a wonderful job for the past 17+ years, I mean you did play a major role in her fetal developement too..lol.
I admit I teared up a little reading the last of this post. Now matter how old they get, how grown up they "think" they are, our babies are still just that, our babies.
Hold on and enjoy this last year before she spreads her wings more, I'll be here for you with a shoulder to cry on. I'll be needing you too soon enough!
Yes, I see that everyday with mine. And they're little. But it's a very cruel joke, being a mom sometimes. One day you're sitting in a class watching the clock not move at all and the next day you have a fully grown kid on a motorcycle giving you a heart attack.
What a sweet post this is! She is so lucky to have you as a mommy! I can only imagine how it will be when mine (who are now only 4 and 5) are in HS!
oh, and happy SITS Saturday Sharefest!
Happy 1-day-late Birthday wishes to Katie. You think 17 or 18 feels weird, wait 'til both your kids are in their 30s like mine are!!!
Happy Birthday to Katie! I came from SITS, a day late to say Happy Saturday Sharefest!
Oh, Pam, she is so lovely! I hope her birthday was very happy. Echoing the sentiments of others, you can be proud to have raised such a fine young woman. It IS hard watching them grow up - but so rewarding, too. Congrats to you both for surviving the mother/daughter dynamic for 17 years...
Happy Birthday to your Katie! Mine just turned 19 this week so I'm feeling the same thing you're feeling. Where did time go? I hate it!
I wonder what happened to my post -- it was here the other day! Anyway, Happy Birthday Katie! I remember visiting you in Phoenix when she was a few weeks old....where have the years gone?
Tell your daughter Happy Birthday from all your bloggie friends.
I do not know what is the matter with me... my hubby's B-day was the 15th and I still don't have a blog about him. I haven't really been on the computer much. I got to get back into it, because I am missing it!
Sharon
Happy Birthday!! They all grow up so fast!
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