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!