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Edited on Fri Apr-02-04 09:21 AM by MrsGrumpy
that my daughter is doing for school. Could you read and tell me if it's too mushy, not mushy enough, cheesy etc?
Thanks in advance! :hi:
Given the choice, I probably would not have chosen to become a mom at the age of 19. And yet, on March 1, 1990, there she was. The best thing that had happened in my life. She quickly became my reason for everything: waking, working, and most of all, growing up. We were about to embark on the adventure of our lives...the two of us.
Nicole quickly proved to me that she was an extraordinary creature. Besides being the most beautiful example of baby girl the world had yet to see, she was also darned smart. Nicole, the newborn, could hold her head up from birth. I swear that Nicole, the 4 month old said, "mama"...honest. Nicole, the nine month old, was walking. My favorite times were the times when Nicole would let me cuddle her. Those times weren't often, sadly. I was working and she was too independent. But, at very special moments in her babyhood, I could seize her up and sit in the rocking chair and we'd rock away...to John Denver, Crystal Gayle, on up to Cheap Trick. How I wish I could bring some of those small minutes back.
Times were not easy on Nicole. She didn' t have the luxury of Mom at home. Some days, I would work two jobs. On those days she was with my father or any number of the babysitters proven worthy (and sometimes, sadly, not) of the task. I was lucky enough to have the support of my parents and the shelter that their home provided. Many days I would leave her sleeping in the morning and come home to her sleeping in the evening. One of my biggest regrets is that I saw many of her firsts through the eyes of another. Those are the kind of things you can never grab back.
When Nicole was three, we moved out on our own into a two bedroom trailer in Clinton Twp. Things were looking a little bit better for me and I was able to work mainly Monday thru Friday and I was also able to take time off and spend time with her. How amazing to me when she started to read at age three and a half. How incredible that my best friend in the whole universe-the only person I fully trusted- was packaged in a frame less than 36 inches tall. I have so many happy memories of that time. We had one night a month that was Nicole's night. She picked our dinner, usually pizza. She picked our activity, either the park or a movie rental. The night was topped off with a slumber party in Momma's bedroom. I was truly growing up right along side her. I am grateful that she forgave me my mothering mistakes.
I remember dropping her off for her first day of school. Oh, the tears... She was ready to fly, and I wanted to pull her back into the nest. And fly she did. From the very first moment of Kindergarten all the way up through today, she astounds me with her knowledge. I remember countless parent-teacher conferences consisting of glowing reports of her skills and her personality. I would leave beaming with pride.
One of things I looked forward to most were Nicole's field trips. I enjoyed going along and meeting her friends. One of my favorites, and hers too I think, was a trip we made to the Detroit Zoo in the third grade. We laughed our way through the zoo with her friends. Mrs Harper kept messing up the wording on the paper we were doing and by lunch time the girls and I were in stitches.
It is hard for me to think of Nicole as a teenager. When I speak of her to friends, she is still my baby. I still envision her that way. She still has chubby little legs. She still loves Barney. She still would run to the park with me for a half hour of play in a heartbeat if asked. Of course, that isn't true. Now she is 14. There are now other things for us to share. A love of 80's music. A trip to the shopping mall. A discussion on the world today. More mature pursuits, but just as enjoyable...just as treasured.
In knowing and raising Nicole, I have known a beautiful human being. One with an intelligence rare for her age. The surreal moment of pride in hearing the words, "Congratulations to the Macomb Daily Spelling Bee Champion, Nicole XXXXX!" One with incredible strenghth and mind numbing wit. I have also known a fragile human being. One easily hurt by an unhappy tone in my voice. We have had our moments of anger, she and I, but she shows an amazing ability to forgive me my faults.
To me, my beloved Nicole is proof that other forces have a hand in the raising of children. Without this, and her resilience, this story would not be heading toward the happy ending I am sure it contains. I am most grateful for the day he chose to place this small child into my arms and into my life...she was my reason for shedding childhood and becoming a woman. I could never repay her for the deed she did on that cold afternoon in March not so long ago.
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