and you and you.....
Yesterday my baby boy turned 7....no he's not a baby anymore, but he's my youngest and I affectionately call him my baby on his birthday as I grab him and put my cheek against his.
On each of my children's birthdays I press play on the movie of their life. Beginning with pregnancy, I try to recall how it felt when they danced inside me; every kick, wiggle, turn, elbow jab, finger poke and sleepy calm. I remember how labor started slow or fast, the hospital visit wondering if I'd stay or get sent home, my water breaking, the final rush of giving birth and holding my newborn babe. I loved every moment and still relish the details.
Yesterday we talked about each of their births and they giggled to hear their own story. My first wasn't sure she wanted to come out, my second was in a big hurry to see her new world, my third just couldn't make up his mind whether he was ready to be born or not!
I relive each year with images flashing across my mind and run through the emotions of parenthood, but mostly sheer joy in celebration of the wonderful children I co-created. The songs I sang to them at bedtime, their favourite stories, their personal bedtime rituals, their giggles, first words still bring a tear to my eye as it seems like only yesterday. My first had to fall asleep nose to nose when she was a toddler, my second always pinchedd the skin on my neck when she breastfed, my third always intertwined his fingers in mine even as an infant with tiny hands.
Raising children is a huge responsibility and on this day I choose to focus on ease. The ease of knowing I am doing a great job raising happy and healthy children. My children are gifts given to me for such a short time before they move on with thier own lives. I only hope they know how much I love them and feel so thankful for what they continue to bring to my life every day.
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