Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Happy Birthday to My Daughter


You were maybe twenty months old, and we had started using a time out chair when you continued to get into something you had been told not to get into, like say, cigarette butts sitting in an ashtray. Only this was in a pre-enlightened time, when I didn’t know any better and called it “The Bad Girl Chair.” I was standing near “The Bad Girl Chair” one day, when you suddenly pushed me. I lost my balance and fell back into the chair. I quickly stood back up, and you pushed me again, and continued to push me until I, suddenly wising up, asked you, “Do you want me to sit in this chair?” 

 Head nod yes. 

 “Because I’ve been bad?” 

 Vigorous head nod yes. I sat down in amazement. Here you were, less than two, and not only did you understand the concept of “The Bad Girl Chair,” but you stood there unafraid to stare down an authority figure (me) when you thought you were justified. I knew then that the world was in big trouble, just as was said authority figure (me)! 

 You are such a paradox, my beautiful daughter. Gentle hearted, thoughtful, strong willed, competent, stubborn, insightful, considerate, tough, brave, intelligent, less than punctual and kick ass funny, when the mood strikes you. I would not change one tiny little thing about you, my love. From the first moment I saw your sweet little heart shaped face, I fell hopelessly in love with you. I don’t say it often enough, princess, but I am so glad that you are my daughter. Happy Birthday, baby girl. 

 Love, Momma

© 17 February 2009, Desktop Genealogist Unplugged, Teresa L. Snyder 

8 comments:

Greta Koehl said...

What a lovely tribute. They do understand that time-out chair right away. My older daughter used to put herself in time-out sometimes.

Sheri Fenley said...

There's a birthday present for you from Sister Crabbypants over at www.sherifenley.blogspot.com

Diana Ritchie said...

Hi Terry ~
I've awarded you a Kreativ Blogger Award. You can pick it up at Random Relatives.

Diana

By the way - exactly WHAT had you done that was bad?!?

Harriet said...

Terry,
I was going to give you the Kreativ Blogger Award but I see someone already has. I have enjoyed your blog! You were my FIRST follower.

Amanda E. Perrine said...

Hi Terry,
I nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award! I hadn't realized you already had one, but now you can have another:-) You can pick it up at http://www.ataleoftwoancestors.blogspot.com:-)

Family Attic said...

I have nominated your blog for the Kreativ Blogger Award.

The rules are fairly simple:

1. Copy the award to your site.
2. Link to the person from whom you received the award.
3. Nominate 7 other bloggers.
4. Link to those sites on your blog.
5. Leave a message on the blogs you nominate
Pick up your award on my blog site
http://ourattictreasures.blogspot.com/

Thanks for an interesting blog. And happy birthday to your daughter.

Diane

Becky Thompson said...

What a beautiful and touching tribute to your daughter. Don't we all wish we could read things like this that our mother's had written? You did a nice thing here---she's a lucky daughter!

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...

Belated Happy Birthday! Lovely words and pictures.


Terry

Terry

Labels