Today is my niece’s 11th birthday. I remember the day she was born. There was actually snow on the ground in South Carolina. I remember her having a large head and tiny fists and sweet little toes. I remember her sweet smell and her rosy pink cheeks. Seems like it was just yesterday. She latched onto my heart and has yet to let go.
Her birthday is the reminder that December is here. December brings the birth of Christ, Christmas the holiday, celebrations, fun times and memories. It also begins my children’s birthday season. December, February and April. Each month blessed me more than I could have ever imagine.
December brings my son’s 11th birthday this year. I look forward to it. I love watching him grow. I dread the day when he leaves home. I pray he’s more man that I could have ever wished for. I want so many things for him but I know his life lies in the hands of God where I placed him and his sisters long ago.
My children have been such blessings to my life. They have each taught me so much in their own rights. I could never have imagined how much of a gift they truly are on the day of their birth. I can only imagine how much of a blessing and gift we each are as children of God everyday.
My son has taught me what love is. Unconditional, patient love. The kind that never gives up, never judges and never stops. That’s his kind of love and how he lives his life. His immense patience with me and his sisters always astonishes me. His kindness is beyond belief. My son at 11 is already more of a man than most men I know. I’m thankful for that. When he was born I didn’t know what our relationship would be, what blessing he would bring me but every day my eyes are opened more.
My older daughter has taught me strength and patience. I have learned to let go and pick battles with her that are worth the fight. She is strong – strong willed, strong minded and strong in heart. She’s brought me closer to God with her love for him and her strength in her choices and opinions and will. She’s blessed my life, driving me to the edge of anger and switching my heart with a quick, innocent smile. She, too, shows me what God sees in each of us every single day when we push him to the edge of anger only to feel him gracefully bless us with another day of forgiveness. I will always love her, I will always forgive her, I will always be with her as God is with each of us. Nothing she can do will change that – she has my heart, this girl.
My baby girl has taught me joy and filled my heart with it abundantly, as well as her brother and sisters. Emma deemed her our Angel at her birth and that she is, sent straight down from God’s arms in Heaven. Her laughter warms us, her smile brings happiness to us. So many times she’s come close to returning to Heaven and I am always thankful when He blesses us with another day to see her joyful smile and see her sprite-like innocence bloom into a bright, beautiful, angelic child.
Together the three of them fullfill my life. They bring me so much joy and happiness, so much love and strength and honest light. I see God in their eyes every single day. I’m thankful to God above for them, for only He could create someone so precious as these three are to me. Only He knew what joy and purpose they’d bring into my life when He chose me to be their Mother. How could I ever doubt His will for me or for them? I have Faith that He takes care of us all, that He planned this life for us to Honor him and His love for us. I know He has a plan and thus far it’s been better than I could have ever known! For that I’m forever Thankful.