Tuesday, December 16, 2008

39 and Holding

Stephanie is one of the children who has always been inquisitive. A bright student, and like her mother willing to take risks and challenges. Growing up, she was the most challenging to me as a mother. Maybe we have always just been too much alike [any other parent know what I mean?!]

Well, today is her 39th birthday, and remember the day so well way back then. My water had broken two days before, went to the doctor the 16th of December and he told me that I had two more months. I was to go home and just take it easy. My words to him were, "don't plan anything tonight, don't think two months is in the baby's schedule."

After picking up her sister from my mom's house, we started home which normally was about 20 minutes to my house. For some reason I didn't take the regular route, but wanted to take a shortcut and beat some of the traffic. You guessed it--went into hard labor on a back road with nobody around, and before cell phones.

Somehow I got her sister upstairs and into her crib, changed my clothes and laid on the floor waiting for daddy to come home and take me to the hospital. I will add at this point that the doctor was flying down the hallway throwing his tuxedo off to the nurse as he ran to change into scrubs as I was taken into a delivery room. He got there just in time to basically catch the baby. Why don't doctors ever listen [smile] Christmas came early, the cute little bundle of no hair and so tiny. She was indeed a bit early.

Must admit during our years while she was growing up, it was hell on wheels, going somewhere and nowhere. Today, we can call each other friend--and that is a very good thing!

A bright and energetic child, grew into the same type of woman. Loves to read, still inquisitive, and a great mom to her two children. Before I left to live in Africa she asked me for something special that was just me to her. Stephanie has the only copy of a book that I wrote for the NaNoWriMo a couple of years ago. Hopefully one day it will be worth something besides sentiment.

When I moved from Utah to New York and was distributing things to the kids, Stephanie had the presence of mind to take one of my most valued dolls from the collection. Today it is worth thousands of dollars, perhaps to be given to her daughter.

So Ms. Stephanie in keeping with my promise, here is your blog for your birthday, may you share the joy of life with others, become even more of what you have dreamed. Do not let people tell you who you are, discover life and what it holds for you. Never give up and remember the edge is a step away to an adventure most will never try.

Lova lova you! Miss you! Happy Birthday, I was excited the day you arrived and even more excited to share your dreams and future and watch you grow and become ...

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Stephanie.
May the joy of this day never leave your mind,enjoy being 39.You may think your getting old but hon your life is just getting started.I always said if I could pick an age too go back to it would be my thirties.
Enjoy this time in your life and strive too be all you can be.
Hugs
Susan Pixley

Tone said...

Have a wonderful birthday Stephanie. Life is a journey with bright days and dark days, live one day at the time and look for the bright moments.
Hugs Tone

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday Stephanie!
I enjoyed reading your birthday blog and learning about you and your entrance into this world. May this and all days that follow be filled with the Love I feel coming from your proud mom. God bless you and your family!
Kindest,
Greg Dowell

Anonymous said...

May you have the brightest of birthdays as Heaven's light shines on you, and may blessings and joy be yours for the taking!
I have enjoyed reading about your life, and my desire for you is to gain many wonderful memories to add to this journey!
Happy Birthday!
With Hugs, and Love,...........
Stephanie................
May your birthday this December,
Be one of joy that is remembered.
May this day of all days of life,
Be one free of trials or strife!
May these memories of celebration
Be ones with hours of jublilation!
Happy Birthday!
With Hugs, and Love,
Sheila

reland1 said...

Thirty-nine??? ahhh. . . 39! The perfect age of beauty, brilliance,and discovery! May you gain great wisdom and discover new friends in whom to trust beyond measure! Bless you, Stephanie!

Anonymous said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!

WHAT A BLESSING IT IS TO KNOW YOU THROUGH YOUR MOM. SHE SURE DOES LOVE YOU, AND IT SHOWED IN HER WRITING.

MAY YOUR 39TH BIRTHDAY BE A WONDERFUL DAY INDEED! THE 40'S ARE COOL TOO!!

I HOPE ALL YOUR DREAMS, AND HOPES COME TRUE.

LOVE 2 U !!
DENISE BOYCE

Today's Christian Mom~ said...

Happy Birthday Stephanie! LOL and yes why don't doctors ever listen in those situations?