On this, the day of my birth, the third day of the ninth month in the year of two thousand and nine…

Did you know that a birthday is a celebration not of the child but of the parent?  I learned that the day my son turned one and it has been reiterated in every birthday of my children ever since. 

I have officially been alive for 29 years (yes, folks, I am that young or old or whatever else you have been assuming all this time).  The sad thing is that they have gone by so fast and I don’t recall most of those years. 

Do I feel older today?  No. 
Does my mom feel older today?  Probably. 

In the past 29 years, I have…

…been the first in my family to graduate high school.
…birthed two beautiful, healthy babies.
…watched the live birth of two babies that were not my own.
…graduated from college with an Associate’s Degree in the field of my choosing.
…owned my own home (if having a mortgage until I am 98 counts!)
…travelled to six foreign countries.
…gotten 8 stitches.
…held the hand of a newborn baby gasping for air.
…buried a parent and two grandparents within the span of a year.
…stood up as a bridesmaid in a wedding.
…attended a senior prom, just to walk out after pictures were taken.
…held down jobs as a cashier, a wood grader, a secretary, a sales woman, and a temp.
…been self employed, twice.
…purchased several large items without the need for a co-signer.
…flown in an airplane.
…ridden on a jet ski, a snowmobile, and in a boat.
…tried riding a motorcycle.
…gotten into a car accident.
…explored the city through the drain pipes.
…smoked cigarettes.
…drank myself to puking.
…made a mistake so large it collapsed an entire circle of friends.
…made friends and kept them.
…made friends and lost them.
…pirated music off the internet.
…been in the back of a police cruiser.
…been in handcuffs (even if just for a joke).
…played countless card games, board games and mind games.
…written story after story after story.
…gracefully accepted gifts I didn’t like.
…gave gifts that made others cry with joy.
…received gifts that made me smile.
…told the truth.
…told a lie.
…held a crying friend until they could speak again.
…held a friend’s secret locked into my soul.
…helped an elderly neighbor.
…been the leader of a girl scout troop.
…been the co-leader of a girl scout troop.
…helped at school parties for my children.
…been trick-or-treating in costume, and out of costume.
…danced upon a stage.
…won first prize in a contest.
…sang karaoke.
…played a drum in a band.
…laughed so hard I cried.
…cried so hard I laughed.
…blew kisses in the wind.
…felt the rain on my face.
…stood in the ocean during a hurricane.
…experienced the magic of Disney.
…hurt myself.
…hurt someone else.
…walked away and never looked back.
…walked away and kept looking back.
…connected with an old friend.
…been to a pajama party.
…loved with everything in me.
…been a bitch.
…fought with all I had left.
…let go.
…kept holding on.
…lived the American Dream.
…been happy to be home.
…lived simply.
…spent extravagantly.
…been on a shopping spree.
…owned something very old.
…bought something at auction.
…purchased a vehicle just to give it away.
…lent money with no intention of collecting payment.
…helped someone in need.
…slept in the desserts of New Mexico.
…talked on the phone for hours.
…attended classes that were not mandatory.
…spoken another language. 
…read more books than I can count.
…been abused.
…been neglected.
…sheltered and adored my children.
…taught someone something.
…opened a bank account.
…made someone smile.
…made someone cry.
…collected something.

-AND MOST IMPORTANTLY-

…lived.

I have done a lot, accomplished some, endured my share of heartache, made my own bed and lay upon it, had my cake and ate it, too, and learned from my mistakes.  I can generally say that I have been successful at this life thing.  At least I have made it 29 years, so far, and have planned for many more to come. 

Happy Birthday to Me. 

But today isn’t really about me.  Today is about her.

Thank you, Mom.  Today is your day to shine.  You brought me into this world and without that, the entire list of things above would not have happened.  Those are your accomplishments, your heartaches, and your experiences as much as they are mine.  You made them happen.  You gave me the gift that only a mother can give…LIFE.  You are the reason I am here.  You continue to be my strength, my idol, and my mentor which allows me the confidence to try new things, fail, and raise to my feet to do it all again. 

Happy Day of Your Daughter’s Birth to you.  I hope it’s a good one.  :)