Thank you for my birthday

I know that I talk quite a bit about my children on this blog, but in all reality I am the quintessential wife and mom....my husband and kids are my life. Of course I have outside passions and interests that constitute things that belong to "just me", but those things pale in comparison in importance to the people I am eternally connected with.

Maia celebrated her 4th birthday this week. I look at her and feel in awe of how quickly she has turned into a little girl. Long gone are her days of babyhood. Those have been replaced by all things girly--glitter, pink, princesses, jewelry, make-up--as her cherished toys of infancy have disappeared into the bottom of her toy bin. While I have saved a few treasured things that remind me so much of her as a baby, most of these things have been given away to children in need. As much as my instincts try to force me to hoard the "things" that remind me of her so much, eventually logic takes over and allows me to let go of the "things" which don't matter nearly as much as the memories they are attached to.

On the day of her birthday, Maia and I had a grande celebration. She decided that she wanted four cakes because she was turning four. When I asked her if that meant I got 32 cakes on my birthday she simply laughed and replied, "That's ridiculous, Mom!" I took the day off from work and spent the day appreciating all things Maia; we baked and decorated four cakes with princess candles and sprinkles, played "dollies", watched a princess movie, and swam in the pool. We had our family over to celebrate with dinner and dessert. It was the perfect birthday. Without the fanfare of a large party (something we debated having), we could truly celebrate what was actually important: Maia.

After the madness died down when the sugar had passed through her system, I snuggled with her in her bed and held her so tight. I could still feel her little baby body pressed against mine during those 3am feedings. She is a girl who shares her emotions sparingly so when she does...she makes her point clearly. As I held my sweet girl and cherished HER she so sweetly turned to me, gave me a hug and kiss, and said, "Mommy. Thank you so much for my birthday."

I couldn't help but think, "Thank me for your birthday? No....thank YOU." At four years old she is still too little to be involved in and understand this sentiment so I kept it to myself. But as I laid in bed and tried to unwind I couldn't help but repeatedly thank God for Maia. The world and my life are truly brighter and better places with her in them.

So Maia, one day when you are old enough to read this, thank YOU for your birthday. You are one in a million and I cherish every moment that I am with you. You make every day a better day. I love you Maia-llama-ding-dong!