Monday will be my daughter’s birthday. At 5.34 pm she will be 36 years old. (Gosh, I feel old. But, in a warm fuzzy kind of way.) This post is by way of saying Happy Birthday to her.
Here’s what I remember.
She made her screaming entrance into the 80’s world on a snowy, Friday tea time. We were in a rather traditional, old hospital ( we had an extremely efficient and quite frankly scary matron! Think Hatty Jacques in the Carry on movies!) in Bradford, West Yorkshire.
I still vividly recall studying the tiny baby/ living doll in the crib at the bottom of the bed that I , YES ME ! had just delivered.
I’d waited so long for her to arrive. She’d made me sick just about every day of my pregnancy and as is often the norm, had performed gymnastics – whenever I’d tried to rest. I’d been pretty sure I was about to give birth to a football team.
We’d had a dress rehearsal with the first labour pains… when I was up a step-ladder, painting her nursery in neutral colours. ( We didn’t know what we were getting back in my day.)
We’d got the baby stuff together and had three of everything. One on, one in the wash and one ready. Generous folk had knitted me a huge collection of cardigans and booties in an assortment of colours. They’d made me bedding sets for her pram and cot and our tiny house was full of all things baby.
Favourite memories.
I loved pegging out her brilliant white terry nappies on the washing line. (In fact I made it my mission to get them the brightest white I could and soft… as, and for my baby’s bottom!) I could have watched that beautiful statement to the world that I was now a mum, blow in the breeze all day; except I had a few other things to do.
As she grew.
Sadly things didn’t work out between her dad and I and we went our separate ways. As a single parent there was challenges to be met and overcome. Money was tight and very carefully budgeted. We had a house that was well lived in. It suited us and our numerous pets. She once wrote about our magical house. I couldn’t have had a better compliment and I like to think that I got something right…though not everything. Does anyone?
.
I remarried and through the rebellious, teenage years we battled on. Aliens abducted her and left us with an argumentative. very messy and hormonal clone for quite a few years. They returned a more grown up, calmer version of her and peace returned.
Then she flew the nest.
” You see much more of your children once they leave home. “
Lucille Ball (1911 – 1989)
Now she is grown.
With a four-year old son of her own, she is a brilliant, working mum and partner.
Next September my grandson will go to school and I hope I will get to stand outside school with the other mums and grandmas, as I collect him from school.
I love my grandson to bits. My baby has a baby . I still find that amazing, even after four years. I’ll say it again… my baby has a baby! Because, as parents our children grow up, but they’re still our babies, aren’t they? They have their own children and we get to watch them from a different angle, as they parent their children. Feeling proud of them does not even start to describe how you feel.
I peered into another crib and saw a familiar tiny baby/doll with perfect little fingers and toes. Two beautiful blue eyes looked back at me. Seeing my grandson for the first time was the most amazing experience. I won’t forget it.
“There came a moment quite suddenly a mother realized that a child was no longer hers…without bothering to ask or even give notice, her daughter had just grown up.”
Alice Hoffman
And so the cycle goes on.
Happy Birthday to my beautiful, clever and loving daughter. I will never be able to thank you enough for making me a mum and grandma.
So, how about you? How do feel about being a parent/ grandparent? Do you remember how you felt when they were born? Do they continue to surprise you? (I’m guessing they do.)
Thanks for reading.
Dorne x
Thank you for this post. I’ve two sons and one glorious grandaughter – blessed with arguments and worries and bags of unmatched socks and memories of first smiles, first steps, first grey hairs. Thank you for the reminder of what all that means…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for reading. You will have double the fun then! That’s a lovely collection of memories. 🙂
LikeLike
You are reviving memories…….yes, some good and some painful. I do remember hanging diapers out on the clothesline. And later I used those old diapers for dust rags for years. Have a wonderful birthday with your daughter. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
I know what you mean about the painful memories. Sometimes they do things that tear you apart, don’t they? But then, just as easily they fill your heart until you think it will burst with love and pride.
We had planned to have a family meal out today, but our grandson has developed tonsillitis and also has a chest infection. So, his mum gets to nurse him through that today…instead.
Never mind, we’ll make up for it later on, when he is back to his usual cheeky and adorable self.
Have a great day yourself. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
At least you have a grandson. 🙂 Nary a one in sight for me. lol
LikeLike
Yes and I’m grateful for that. Our kids affect our lives in more ways than one, don’t they? x
LikeLike
What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. I loved it! These words by Alice Hoffman did if for me: “There came a moment quite suddenly a mother realized that a child was no longer hers…without bothering to ask or even give notice, her daughter had just grown up.” They work for your son too. ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Yes, our kids grow up and we have an adult before us. Quite a shock and periodically they return to the child…very confusing.
I wouldn’t change any of it. Well, maybe the bits that I cocked up, but other than that…! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha, ha. I agree with you. We raised 5 together… Can you imagine all my mistakes? 💗💗💗
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, I’m a wicked stepmum as well!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me too! LOL. 😯😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
It has to be done. xxxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
No children that I know of, Dorne, but you have written a wonderful tribute to your daughter. I’m sure you are as good a mum to her as she is as good a daughter to you. I hope she had a wonderful birthday.
xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’m very proud of her Hugh. She is always there for me and I hope I’m there for her.
Thanks for the kind compliments and taking the time to drop by. xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a beautiful post! Nearly 2 years ago my son got married and we gained an instant grandson at that time. Since then our 2nd grandson was born. There is something really special about experiencing your child with their children.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Kat. I love being a grandma.
You’re right about watching your child with their child. It somehow makes you feel more complete. Does that make sense. Like the circle has been closed. x
LikeLiked by 1 person
It makes perfect sense. It’s such a difficult feeling to describe. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah..lovely post, Dorne and Happy Birthday to your daughter! My son is nearly sixteen; wonderful, kind, funny…and terribly busy – with girlfriend, school, friends – just as it should be and I’m so happy for him. The ten minutes I grab here and there to chat to him are a treasure indeed – or even better on a drive – the Lucille Ball quote really had me chuckling and I can well imagine that is true! BTW love the seasonal photo on your blog.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Annika. They’re not babies for long. It’s lovely to watch them grow and change. x
LikeLiked by 1 person