She was born on a Monday.
Hers was not a delivery of water breaking and husband waking, contractions aching and “it’s time!” mistaking; it was planned for convenience (my doctor’s) and impatience (my own). My body signaled “ready” and when her due date came…and went…we chose her birth date already known by God. He winked at me.
I was expectant and expectant–two very different things–and I remember the solemnity of our drive to the hospital. It began with a gift, a gold cross embedded with sapphires, a necklace I had seen and wanted but never considered buying. It often strikes me as odd that Christians wear an instrument of death as jewelry, but I suppose it’s a symbol of “remembering”…of dying to self, that it’s no longer I who lives, but Christ. Even with the cross adorning my neck, I forget too often.
This was a day to labor, the fruit of which I’d hold in my arms by sundown. I would feast on her and she would bring a filling that was good and satisfying and right. And she would feast on me and I, in turn, would provide filling to a belly that didn’t yet understand hunger.
For a season, she needed me to survive; she no longer needs me like that. Which is the way it should be.
She’s 17 today and in her I’ve found I no longer want to add years to my life just for the sake of living, I hope for more years to see her grow into who she will become. To know her as adult, mother, friend. To meet my grandchildren.
I don’t want to be only a better mother because of my children, I want to be a better wife, a better person…. They challenge me in a thousand ways without even knowing it!
My daughter is Monday’s child. She’s fair of face. Today, we celebrate her life.
Beautiful, Robin! From all I’ve read about her, she is a very special girl, with a bright future ahead of her! Happy Birthday, baby girl! 🙂
My beautiful girl is also a Monday’s child. She’s fair of face, but I sincerely hope she will also be full of grace–as your girl is.
And I’m a Wednesday’s child–full of woe?! Ack!
Beautiful writing, lady. Love you.
I wish your daughter a very Happy Birthday.
Love this, Robin. Love your thoughts and the way you express them. From the second, Dr. Seussish sentence all the way through, this is purely delightful and a gift to your daughter.
Wishing her a happy birthday and both of you many more years of the mutual feast.
Love, Jeanne
(*gasp!*) You took my breath away with this, Robin!
Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter – she is absolutely breathtaking!
What a beautiful tribute to your lovely daughter!
Having met you, I have no trouble believing all the compliments you lavish upon her. Clearly she takes after her mom. And that picture certainly shows off her beautiful blue eyes!
That was really good! 😀
Wow, you are talented! Not only can you write but you also managed to clone yourself! Can’t get over how much she looks like you. I feel like I’m looking at a teenaged Robin in that picture!
Happy Happy b’day to your beautiful daughter! May God continue to bless! She most certainly will carry on your wonderful, inviting smile! What a darling!!!
looks so much like her mom.
happy birthday mondays child
Happy Birthday to her! Gorgeous story (and picture). And by the way, my last baby’s birthday (our 5th) was planned for convenience and impatience – my husband was moving out of state for a new job and would have been gone for our son’s birth. The dr. was able to deliver me three weeks early so my husband could at least meet the baby (and then he had to leave three days later). For as natural as motherhood and childbirth can be, I’m very grateful for the wonders of modern medicine! 🙂
She is stunning! You’re lucky to have such a lovely girl-because I know with a mother like you she is even more lovely on the inside. Happy Day!
Loved this and she is beautiful.
One word: PRECIOUS!!
Wonderful tribute. Gorgeous child. Wonderful mother. Happy Birthday to her!
She is! And thanks for your greetings!!
I don’t know what I was…but you don’t strike me as a “Woe Wednesday” girl
:). Isn’t that poem odd?? (Thanks for your very nice words…and looking
forward to that occasional cup o’ joe w/you!! Can I help y’all??)
Awww, Chris…THANK YOU old bloggity bud! Hope all is well on your side of
the pond! (p.s. I promise I didn’t just call YOU old!! 😉 🙂 )
Jeanne, every…single…time I see you popping in, I “miss” you, your
beautiful writing voice. I’ve GOT to figure out a way to read more…:/
Thanks for continuing to encourage me!
You know…you’ve been around long enough to see real change; from 13-17 her
changes have been monumental!! (thanks friend 🙂 )
lol, which are her FATHER’S eyes…! (None of my kids got my brown eyes.
Recessive, reschmessive!)
🙂 Thanks!
Sometimes I see me, and sometimes I see a stranger. Funny, more and more
SHE see’s the similarities and it’s freaking her out!! lol
🙂 Thanks for popping in with a song (in your heart). I can *see* your
smiling face!
How you holding up with the young uns?? 🙂
Two words: A! Men!! 😉
Thanks, friend…you *almost* made me blush! 🙂
Thank you (I’m really not a broken record, I mean it every time I say
it…!)
That made me smile 🙂
You are. So kind. I’m grateful. For you ;).
What a beautiful post, and what a beautiful daughter!
I know what you mean about the wanting more years part. My focus has shifted somewhat, too. I mean, I want more years of fun and adventure, but mostly I want more years with the people I love, to enjoy them longer, and more years to write the books I want to write!
My goodness, she is a beautiful girl! And you are a gifted writer.
I’m here late but Happy Belated birthday to your daughter! She’s gorgeous – looks like her mama!
You really blow me away with your writing Robin. I’ve visited your blog since I discovered you last Bloggy Giveaway last fall and I’ve subscribed ever since too! 🙂
Happy belated birthday! I’m behind on my reading this week 🙁 I know she had a grand day even if she just read the beautiful words you wrote. Schooling is such a struggle right now that I would be hard pressed to find the good things — and stuff like looking forward to meeting grandkids, well, that scares me right now. I’m just trying to survive 5th grade! 🙂
She is beautiful! Those eyes speak a thousand thoughts. Happy Birthday to her.
She has really blossomed, hasn’t she? I can’t get over how beautiful she is! She could be a model! Don’t you wonder how God will use her? 🙂