Thursday, April 2, 2009

On This Day, I Looked into My Daughter’s Eyes for the First Time



Happy Birthday, Kel!


This day is one of the most important dates of my entire life.


I became a mom.


I met my first child.


I looked into the most beautiful eyes, I had ever seen.


I held this newborn in my arms.


I kissed my sweet baby’s cheek.


I discovered a love; I had never known before…a love I could not have even imagined.


Those early days and weeks passed so quickly. I remember one day particularly well, when Kel was two weeks old. She was crying her little eyes out, as most two week old babies do; I was crying my eyes out, as most new moms do. Between our tears, I softly began to sing, “You are my Sunshine. My only Sunshine. You make me happy. When skies are grey. You’ll never know, Kel. How much Mom loves you. Please don’t take. My Sunshine. Away.”


Sixteen years later, Kel spent the summer with a Missionary Group in India. At 3 in the morning one day, I woke hearing my daughter’s voice calling my name. I got out of bed, walked around the house…knowing she was on the other side of the world. After a glass of milk, I returned to bed. The phone rang at 6am, the static on the line made the message almost impossible to hear. I learned my daughter had been hit by a car, three hours earlier. I was later told she was calling for me, immediately after the accident. As I recall, within the next few days, I was able to speak with my daughter on the phone. Kel asked that I sing our song.


My daughter is now a wife and mother. Her husband is one of the most gentle and kind souls’, God has created. She has also been blessed with two precious daughters and is carrying her third child. Kel has always been a strong-willed, independent spirit, with the softest of hearts. Her inner beauty radiates in her smile and twinkling eyes.


I am so very proud to be this woman’s mom. Our road together has known grey skies, but it knows plenty of Sunshine.

Kel, you are my Sunshine! I do love you so!

49 comments:

joanne said...

Happy Birthday Kel!

That is a beautiful tribute that only a mom could write. Lovely baby pic too. Great job mom.

Lisa said...

Oh man, thanks, now the tears are spilling over my bottom eyelids, as I too can relate to your beautiful words. The love of a mother is like nothing else in the whole world. I brings back memories that I have of my daughter and her birthday is coming up too. April 13th. And she was born on Friday the 13th. My lucky day, my lucky number, my lucky (and blessed) life!

Call Me Grandma said...

Happy Birthday Kel! May God bless you with many more.

Midlife, menopause, mistakes and random stuff... said...

Happy Birthday KEL!!!!!
Mine are all grown as well......where does the time go Airman Mom. Seems just like yesterday doesn't it?
What a beutiful ode to your kiddo :)

Steady On
Reggie Girl

MRMacrum said...

A very fine tribute to your daughter. Sounds like the both of you have been lucky.

Unknown said...

jojo...thank you!

Unknown said...

lisa...it is amazing how the birth of a child, can turn an ordinary day into an extraordinary day!
Happy birthday to your daughter on the 13th and happy memory day to you!

Unknown said...

grandma...your warm wishes are appreciated!

Unknown said...

RG...it all does fly by too fast! thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

mrm...I am truly blessed to call her my daughter!!!

lola said...

Happy birthday to your daughter! Your stories about her are beautiful :)

Unknown said...

lolaberly...she is beautiful! Thank you for stopping by!

Julie D said...

Omigosh, I'm crying over here! What a beautiful post to your baby girl.

Happy Birthday, Kel!!!! You are a lucky lady to have the mama you do....

Reddirt Woman said...

What a beautiful post. I had goose bumps. Thank you for sharing, and I hope Kel has an incredibly wonderful birthday.

Helen G.

HeartBass said...

Every word you said about her is true -- she is a wonderful young woman. I am proud to say that I count her -- and you -- among my friends!

Happy Birthday, KEL!

Mike Golch said...

Happy Birthday to you kel,may you enjoy the day!

Unknown said...

julie...thank you for your kind words. I know you know what I feel for Kel, you show it towards your son!

Unknown said...

helen...your words mean so much! Thank you!

Unknown said...

heart...your friendship and love means so much to both me and Kel!

Unknown said...

mike...as always, your words are so very thoughtful.

Unknown said...

canyou...Kel has been a beautiful gift from God, since the moment I knew she was mine!

kim-d said...

What a beautiful picture of a beautiful baby girl, who sounds like a wonderful woman. **HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KEL!**

Obviously, good people are born on April 2, as that was also my beloved grandma's birthday!

I love this post straight from your heart, AM!

Unknown said...

kim-d...no doubt your grandmother is forever a lovely lady! Thank you!!!

Debbie said...

Happy Birthday Kel!

Oh this seriously made me cry.

Unknown said...

debbie...thank you so much for taking the time to read my words!

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter!

kathleen's kit up said...

Dear Airmanmom,
it has been awhile since I got here. What an amazing story! you will not believe this, but that is my song with my daughter too! When she was little she used to cry, when the song said "please don't take my sunshine away" and for awhile we had to sing it minus this verse. Blessings to you and your daughter, what gifts we are given!
Kathleen

Unknown said...

Kathleen...Sunshine is a perfect mother/child song!! I agree the line 'don't take my sunshine away' is choked through many times!

Unknown said...

megryansmom...thank yo so very much!

Alice said...

Happy, Happy birthday to Kel. What a beautiful entry! And you know what it means to me to read these words at this time in my life.

Prayers that you continue to be each others sunshine...no matter how grey the skies get.

Mary said...

AC,

What a beautiful tribute to your daughter. I'm so glad she is happily married to such a gentle soul.

Happy Birthday to her, my friend.
Blessings,
Mary

Lela said...

Being a mom is one of the most wonderful things in the world...being a grandmother is one of the other most wonderful things in the world.

juliannah said...

Beautiful post Airman Mom! Great picture too. Time goes by too fast but we get a little chance to relive it through our grandchildren!

K-Dubyah said...

I think Moms the world over know and love that song. My grandchildren now hear it each night as we wind down for sleep.

Happy Belated Birthday, Kel. May all your days be filled with the sunshine you and your Mom share.

AM,
Thank you for such beautiful words.

Anndi said...

Happy birthday to your daughter.

I sang the same song to my girl who is 11 now (and still do).

Unknown said...

alice...you are going to be a wonderful mom! Thanks for stopping by!

Unknown said...

mary...your warm words are always most welcome!

Unknown said...

lela...you are so right on target!!!

Unknown said...

julie...God is good! He gave me the gift of beautiful children and grandchildren!!!

Unknown said...

ky...it is such a simple song, filled with such intense feeling. Thank you for your kind words!

Unknown said...

anndi...hold on to her tight, the days pass all too quickly! I do appreciate your visit!

Unknown said...

What a beautiful tribute to your Kel on her birthday. I have a Kel(ly) who is my baby.

Unknown said...

grandma j...I have yet to meet a Kelly who is not extremely special!

Tonjia said...

I so remember the feeling of holding a newborn little girl in my arms too. I dont think that ever goes away...

Happy birthday Kel!

Donna said...

What a beautiful mother/daughter story!

Unknown said...

tonjia...you are so blessed to have your daughter, Bre!

Unknown said...

donna..thank you!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Lovely post Airman Mom!

And Happy, Happy Birthday (late) Kelly!

Unknown said...

love letters...thank you so very much for stopping by with your warm wishes.