Quote of the Week...

In light of all the political pundits I have listened to this past week:

"People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought--which they avoid."

--Soren Kierkegaard

18 years ago today...

I became a mother.

And it really does feel like yesterday. I can, with very little effort, close my eyes and remember the day she was born. Every sight, every sound is vivid to me. I can see her being placed on my stomach just as she was born and remember reaching for her tiny hand--and how she grasped onto my finger and held so tightly.

Happy Birthday, Brianne!

You are my first...
the first to come from my body
the first to make me lose sleep
the first to need me

the first to run into my arms
the first to call me "mom"
the first to make my heart swell with joy

the first to remind me of your dad
the first to help through braces and driving
the first to ache with a broken heart

the first to watch on stage performing
the first to grow up right in front of me
the first to be like me and yet so much your own person

the first to amaze me with your talents
the first to crack me up with your humor
the first to stun me with your beauty

the first to become (almost) an adult
the first to be making plans of your own
the first to need me less

the first to teach me
the first to challenge me
the first to let me see the world through your eyes

I am so grateful.

Quote of the Week...

"Start where you are. Use what you have. Do what you can."

--Arthur Ashe

Quote of the Week...

"I want it said of me by those who knew me best, that I always plucked a thistle and planted a flower where I thought a flower would grow."

--Abraham Lincoln