Five Years Ago

My Dear Sweet Precious Dahlia,

Today you are five years old.
I can't believe it... five years old.
At this time five years ago, I had been in labor with you for more than 24 hours.
Miyoko was coming over to put needles in my back in the hope of alleviating the pain.
A few hours later, I would decide to go to the hospital for an epidural.
At 7:36 PM, attended by our midwives while the doctor stood back and watched,
You came out easily, powerfully,
The fist that had been next to your left cheek in the birth canal was the second thing to come out after your head.
I'm here! You said to us.
You are here!
We welcomed you joyously,
Our first child.


It's hard to believe that five years have gone by.
But at the same time, I feel like you have earned your age.
From the beginning, you have stepped completely into your life,
Unapologetically, entirely yourself, strong and radiant.
When you were little I called you Bright Light,
And that you continue to be.
You light up a room, you make people smile.
In your own words, you make people really happy.

This past year, your fifth year, you have stepped up in unimaginable ways.
Life and your family have called on you to be flexible, open, forgiving, easygoing,
And so, so loving, so unconditionally loving.
You have responded with a resounding, Yes!
You have said, Okay, I will.
And you have.
You have loved your fragile little sister
And you continue to love her with your most special brand of sweetness.
You feel her in your heart, see her in the little birds outside your window,
You miss her sometimes, and you share your feelings with us.

Thank you for your maturity, your understanding, your patience.
Thank you for all you teach me about love, about what is important.
I knew from the very beginning of your life that you had come to be my greatest teacher
And you are.

You are amazing, Dahlia Aloisia.
You are beautiful, radiant, gracious,
A Bright Light like no other.
I love you, my Little Lady,
My Big Girl...

Happy Birthday