Happy 40th Birthday, in advance Brookie !
There are so many photos, so many stories, so many memories . . . this post is in two parts.
Reposted from about thirteen years ago.
A Happy Birthday Post to My Youngest Daughter !
The following is in no particular order...just typing away...
Once Upon a Time... "Dear Santa, I want a baby sister."
compassionate and caring - speaking your mind with diplomacy - strong yet vulnerable - a little impish - a lot sweetish - smiles and tears, giggles and guffaws - not too shy - growing up so fast - paving your own way - a quirky little look that melts hearts - sometimes having to follow in a big sister's footsteps - always making your own footsteps along the way - understanding and questioning - sensitive almost to a fault - considerate and kind - the epitome of everything a mom wants in a daughter - now you have a daughter of your own - all grown up but never out growing my heart - smiles through your tears - funny and serious - joyful moments of the present, hope and promises of the future, happy memories of the past: look at the head of hair on that baby - not much of a sleeper - couldn't keep you in your baby bed - dr. herb called you a grubber - let's see, there was the weather stripping off the door - the black bug that was still alive - dirt and rocks -the Lawrence Welk bubble incident with Selsun blue- blowing bubbles out your mouth and nose - 'trimming' your bangs - murals on the walls - a bit of a biter - always my baby - always my best friend - always the little sister - defending like a mama bear - we've been to hell and back - the three of us - we learned survival - we learned to enjoy the moment - we hold fast those memories - kissing that bald head for good luck - we learned from mistakes - we anticipate the future - we were a team - we still are - it's difficult to stop writing because there is so much to say - I have to stop - just know that even though your dad and I had disagreements - there is one thing we do agree on and I know I can speak for him - WE LOVE YOU !
Taken at Surprise Baby Shower at Burrage's...( I was growing rounder and rounder as we waited thinking you would be here 'just after Christmas.' You did come 'just after Christmas'...about 3 weeks 'just after Christmas.'
Dad and LAW waiting patiently. We didn't know if you were a boy or girl...
A baby girl with a very large voice...
Was she a Princess? Ask LAW about the pencil eraser...
Early morning feeding...
Napping...
Long John's with a drop seat...
You could be found in any number of places...
A collage of memories...
Above: Your favorite place: with Grandmother while she sewed and your favorite look
Below: More precious memories...
Left: Dressed for Tea
Right: Dressed to Play in the Snow (It was 2 degrees below zero outside.)
You liked to do everything yourself, "Me do, it...Me do it." From planting your own garden in the front yard, later known as "The Famous Watermelon Incident" and Blow Drying your bangs so they stood straight up...later you whacked them off...
Your favorite cousin Melissa...Wayside Elementary...no teeth...
The memory you mentioned about Junior..."Aspen's Main Street...very cold..."
The Fishing Expedition...Cimarron...Taking the Shortcut...Fishy Mouths...
High School Graduation...Edison Tulsa...
Having fun with Best Friends...at OU...Where?
Three Best Friends...
Another Best Friend...Oklahoma State University...Go Pokes...
You are beautiful inside and out...
And now you are a "Mommy, Too". . .