Yesterday, my youngest daughter turned 17 years old.  Eek!!  Where has the time gone?  Seriously?!  It seemed like just yesterday I was begging God for my little miracle baby.  He answered that prayer, and I have had the privilege of watching this six pound three oz little baby (at birth) grow into a beautiful young woman.

I remember when I was approaching the last few days of pregnancy with her.  The doctor was concerned for my petite frame delivering a large baby, so he decided to schedule me for an induction.  He did the same when I had my oldest daughter, so this did not came as a surprise to me.  I was due the latter part of September, but here I was given a choice as to when the induction would occur.  The choices were either the 8th or 9th of September, which were the days of the week he did inductions (Wednesdays & Thursdays).  I remember telling my father that I wanted my baby to have her own day to celebrate her birthday.  While it would be cool to have a “birthday twin,” I would not ever want my birthday to overshadow hers!  She deserves her own day, and so I chose Wednesday, September 8th, as my induction day.

Arriving at the hospital with my bag, the hospital staff asked why I was smiling.  I responded, “I am going to meet my baby today!”   They were focused on the events that would happen prior to her birth.  Meanwhile, I was more focused on the moment I would cradle my newborn in my arms.  At 2:40 p.m., I knew that moment was nearing when the doctor asked if I wanted to watch my daughter’s birth.  With a nod of my head, they turned the mirror, and I watched my baby come into the world at 2:44 p.m.  Oh, what a glorious day!!

Fast forward 17 years, and we celebrated by taking my near adult child to eat at one of her favorite restaurants.  But first … we had to make a stop by Claire’s for her second ear piercing!  She has been after me for many months to let her get a second piercing.  Honestly, she thought I was set against it, but that wasn’t entirely true.  When she was little, she begged me to get her ears pierced, but when I did, she hardly wore the earrings.  I asked her to commit to wearing earrings this time for six months, and then we would talk!  (I, personally, LOVE earrings and feel naked if I leave home without them!)

She appeared confused when we arrived at the mall.  I made an excuse about how I had to pick something up, and although she complained, she walked alongside me until I started to slow down in front of Claire’s.  Then she knew … and a gasp of excitement escaped her lips.  I told the lady what we were there for, and my daughter took her seat.  She is now the proud owner of TWO ear piercings.  ~grin~  She was so tickled with the thought of getting her ears pierced, and afterwards, she was taking selfies to show her friends.

We did more than just going out to dinner and getting her ears pierced, as new clothes were involved as well.  Doesn’t every “girl” enjoy getting new clothes for their wardrobe?   She put one item on immediately, threw her long locks over her shoulder, and strutted inside the restaurant.  We took “selfies” together with the silly Snapchat filters and laughed at how ridiculous we looked in them.  It was great fun!  I’m glad we had this time together, and I’m glad she had HER very own day to celebrate!

I have often said SHE was one of the absolute BEST birthday presents I have ever received.  For you see, her birthday is September 8th, and MY birthday is September 9th!   What a gift, indeed, to be able to hold my newborn baby in my arms the very next day as I celebrated my birthday as well.

Now fast forward those 17 years, and I turned 50 years old today!!  ~gasps~

Birthdays are fun, aren’t they?!

I have been enjoying a half of a century worth of precious memories, and I thank GOD for this opportunity each and every day!  I recognize how TRULY blessed I am, and I pray God allows me 50 more years with my family and friends!  Oh, how I pray to see my yet-to-be-conceived grandchildren grow up and look forward to my great-grandchildren as well.  I’ve often said, “I want to be an old, old woman, rocking her great-great-grandchildren on my front porch.”  And I still mean it today!

There is more life out there for me to live.  There are places in this world I’ve yet to explore, and I want to take all the adventures I can!  I want to stay active and keep pursing happiness found in the great outdoors.  While my birth certificate says I’m 50 years old today, I don’t FEEL like it on the inside.  I’ve been told I don’t look like it either, and for both, I am eternally grateful!

A lot of people get so depressed when they reach a milestone birthday like this.  For some, they think they are “over the hill” and like there is no help for them once they hit the big 5-0.  Not me, baby!  I know there are people who take for granted that they have more time on this earth, and there are those who pray with all their might for more time!  More time, indeed!!  I am one of those people.  I look forward to the adventures ahead, with my family surrounding me and accompanying me on this journey!

Here’s to 17 years … oh, do we remember 17!

And here’s to 50 years … and many, many, many more to come for us both as we enjoy our birthdays together!

I see you … 50 … and challenge you to 50 more!!