When I tell you how old she is today you're going to realize she's older than all of you youngsters who post regularly or guest post--and possibly even read this post.
My first baby girl is 58 today! I can't believe it. It was only a short time ago that I was that age. Or at least it seems so. Poor child, except for doing a lot of babysitting when I was a kid, I really had no idea how to take care of a baby. When Dana was born I lived 3000 miles away from home in my husband's home town in Maryland and barely knew my in-laws--and there were lots of them. Instead of asking for advice, I raised my newborn using a Good Housekeeping Baby Book. (I still have it.) At the time, hubby was stationed in Virginia and only got home on some weekends.
She lived through it all and actually thrived. By the time her sisters and brothers arrived she knew far more about mothering than I did at 19 when she came into my life. As the oldest child she also was the one who did all the things she was supposed to, excelled in school, and we had a great time together.
When she was a junior in high school she fell in love with Mike. He rode a motorcycle, skipped school and not at all what I'd hoped for for my Dana. The August after her high school graduation she married Mike. The wedding was nothing like Chelsea Clinton's. Dana made her own wedding dress and a couple of the bridesmaid's dresses and the flower girl's dress. We picked daisies out of our neighbor's yards to fill the baskets the girls carried. The wedding was performed by a Navy chaplain in the chapel on the Seabee base where my husband was stationed.
The reception was in our family room and backyard and I made all the food. A neighbor made the beautiful wedding cake. (This was the first of many wedding receptions that I prepared all the food for.)
Dana and Mike have been through a lot. Mike had a motorcycle accident during a race the day after their wedding. He was almost killed in a bizarre truck accident on the job and spent nearly 6 weeks in the hospital with Dana staying by his side nearly the whole time. I took care of their two kids.
They now have five grandkids, both are retired and love to travel all over in their motor home. We've gone with them a couple of times.
A lot has happened since that darling baby was born 58 years ago--but it doesn't seem all that long.
And the point of this story? Enjoy each day to the fullest, because it goes by far too fast.
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com/
For some reason I never see the typos until I see what I've written posted and have to hastily edit them out--at least I hope I got them all. I could blame it on my new computer--but it happened with my old one too.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn
Hi, Marilyn! Please wish Dana a happy birthday from one 8/10 celebrant to another. I'm 47 today and agree with everything you said about living every day. Every birthday is a gift and a day to be enjoyed. Dana sounds like a fabulous woman--just like her mama--and should have all the best. Maggie
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Dana!
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday Maggie!
Marilyn, that's a beautiful post to your daughter. You are so right that we have to live each day as it it given to us.
Happy Birthday to Dana and to Stiletto Gang "Maggie." Hope you both have a great day and eat way too much cake!
ReplyDeleteRhonda
aka The Southern Half of Evelyn David
Happy Birthday to Dana and Maggie! And here's to many more healthy and happy years to come.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Susan
Dana enjoyed reading the post and we'll be seeing her and her hubby in a couple of weeks. Can hardly wait.
ReplyDeleteMarilyn