I Celebrate My Daughter’s Life

I am currently in the middle of yet another “Mommy’s going overboard!” month as I plan my daughter Kate’s third birthday party.  Each year of her life so far I have begun her birthday party plans pretending to think I’ll keep things simple, but knowing full well it’s never going to happen.  When it comes to my daughter, I can’t help going overboard!

I never used to be one to make a big fuss about birthdays, but that was before I became a mom.  That was before I was the creator and laborer of the life that had been birthed.  I’ve shared before that I think it’s my love language, but my reasons go even deeper than that…

I celebrate my daughter’s life because she giggles over singing Christmas trees, calls polka dots “polka pots” and hugs mannequins because she thinks they are cold.

I celebrate my daughter’s life because she likes to dance on bubble wrap, carries matchbox cars in her purse, and pretends her feet are “creatures” when she uses them almost exclusively to put away her toys at the end of bathtime.

I celebrate my daughter’s life because she is kind, sweet, thoughtful, smart, assertive, funny, cautious, creative, observant, curious, energetic, loving, and cheerful.

I celebrate my daughter’s life because she is my greatest source of joy and pride and happiness.

I celebrate my daughter’s life because I am lucky beyond belief to have her in mine.

In light of today’s horrific massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School I am choked with grief and overwhelmed with sadness over the young lives that have been taken, the surviving children who have been stripped of their innocence in the split second of a gunshot, and all of their families and loved ones who will never be the same.  My thoughts, my prayers, and every ounce of strength I can muster through these endless tears go out to the parents and families of the children who have been killed.

I celebrate my daughter’s life because I know how precious and fragile her life is.

I celebrate my daughter’s life to honor every parent who has lost a child, and to assure you that I do not take my gift for granted.

I celebrate my daughter’s life because I am grateful beyond words and measure that she is here with me today.

That today, I can.