My Dearest Madison Leigh,
If my heart had vocal cords, you would make them sing. It would be a triumphant sound because even though you came from my womb, I’m the one who was given life. I remember when I carried you in my tummy. I spent too many nights laying, wondering how it was possible to have a child that I didn’t deserve. Fear would rise; would a thumb or toe be missing? How could I, little old me, have a perfect babe from above. But my darling girl, my fears drifted away when you came, you are perfect in my eyes.
Even though I was young, scared, and didn’t know much, I have always been so blessed by you.
I Remember-
The first time you reached for me indicating you knew who I was and that I made you happy. I cried. I remember the night of your first birthday how you made yourself, and me, laugh as you balanced your chubby little body on your rocking horse then rocked as fast as you could.
Or the cold, December Friday afternoon, I got off work early, excitedly picking you up from day care. We’d rush home to our tiny little house on the Great Lakes Naval base, crank up the heat, and snuggle in bed until we woke up sweaty just in time for dinner. Your hair in my face warmed me more than that old thermostat ever could.
Or the time I cried for hours the first time I left you with your Dad. It was the summer we moved away. I had the hardest time being away so I bought a ticket to fly back and see you. Thankfully he agreed for me to have a weekend to visit during his visitation period.
I remember the last time I could physically pick you up and you wrapped your long tan legs around my waist. I said, “honey, you’re getting too big for this” well, you didn’t care and jumped up anyway.
“Mom, I always want to live by you, I’ll never leave you.” At age 10 you made this sweet verbal pledge. I asked you, “what if you marry a man and his job requires you to transfer?” Your reply was, “I’ll tell him before I marry him that I’ll never agree to do that.” You’re adorable.
Then braces came and went, more birthday parties, and more days and nights. Today my angel, I cry and cry as I write this still in awe of the blessing you’ve been. You are evidence of God’s mercy on me. When I thought I wasn’t good enough for anything, He said I was. He started showing me by giving you to me.
Where Life Takes You-
Where life takes you and who it’s with, only Jesus knows. Precious girl, one thing I do know is that I’ll always be behind you; catching you when you fall, holding you when you cry, and kissing you as much as I can. Forever! This song comes to mind when I think of the ending to this chapter of our life (In My Daughters Eyes – https://youtu.be/YYxbdP-bHIg). Losing my mom at an early age has caused me to be strong. I intentionally taught you to be strong too – ALWAYS and know that even when I’m gone, your eyes will hold the reflection of me.
Go on my baby girl, conquer it, live and breathe your destiny, be who you are meant to be and know that I’m in your shadow for now and always.
Love, Mom
Absolutely amazing. I need tissues. You are such an amazing mother and woman!!!
Michael!!!! I just love you, thank you:)
Your daughter has grown up to be an amazing young woman because she had such an amazing mother!!! That was absolutely beautiful!!!
Oh Leslie, how the heck are you!? I’m so happy you made your way here and left me a comment. Thank you for your beautiful words.
Wow, Min. You really got the tears flowing with this one. Such an unbreakable bond.. every child deserves this type of love. You’re an amazing mother.
Thank you E. Mom loved you the same way. I love you too so much
You are an amazing Mom, we have all had our babies and held tight to them but you have a way to put it into words. I have felt the same way with both my children . It’s special with each one my First was Tony and it was extra special I was younger and had a lot of time to read and play and have an imagination with him. We would spend hours in books and reading . I wonder now if that is why he is so smart and so independent he would read them back to me in his words and imagination added to the story I loved to listen to the added story he made up along the way. Now I’m doing the same with my grandson and his imagination is somewhere out there he knows all about Jesus how they nailed his hands and feet to the cross and put him in the cave and when they rolled the rock away he wasn’t there ,then he was a leader and he saved all of us. He listens so that it all registers and then puts it all in his little mind. He goes to his Sunday school and his Mommy reads a lot to him but he loves to act out all the chapters and wants a audience to watch him.its just amazing to watch our children grow and hard to let them go and be their self. God has a plan for each of us we have to trust in him. Love your blog! Keep it coming.