Most Special Day

Melanie at 4, in sister Fran's graduation gown and morterboard

This day is always emotional - my one and only baby's birthday. Because I was so young when Melanie was born, we really have grown up together in so many ways.

In the dark times, she is always the light. In the happy times, she amplifies the joy.

I had no idea how to be a parent when she was born, and I made more mistakes than I can count or that I want to remember.

And still, she grew into an amazing person.

Smart, kind, compassionate, loving and giving.

It has been an amazing ride. Some of my best memories are because we had so little. The car without a working radio so that we sang together when in the car. Mostly show tunes.

The dance parties in the living room because there was nothing good on broadcast television and we could not afford cable.

The meals designed to stretch the grocery budget - lots of soups and stews and macaroni and cheese. And Melanie telling me "Do you know why this tastes so good, Mommy? Because I can taste the love in it".

I honestly can't imagine who I would be if not for Melanie's birth. Her existence put my life on a different path than I imagined, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

I believe that her presence in my life has made me a much better person than I would have been without her.

Today I will be awash in memories of the day she was born, and a whole bunch of special and ordinary days since. And I will be so very grateful that God blessed me with such a wonderful human that I am privileged to call my daughter.