Thirty-seven years ago my eldest daughter Haley was born.
I thought I knew the meaning of love before her arrival, but the vastness and depth of love that a heart can hold expanded beyond what I had ever imagined possible the moment I met her.
She took her sweet time getting here, which showed me that she had her own inner sense of timing that she could trust, and that I could too.
Her innate sense of wonder and curiosity were evident from her first moments on the planet, as she turned her eyes from my face to look out into the world around her in our hospital room. That curiosity has never left, and has led her to explore the world in her own wild and wonderful ways.
She made the perfect decision when it came to the man with whom she would share life.
I know that I was a really good mom, but watching Haley love and nurture her two little boys, and I am over-the-moon in awe.
She knows who she is and what she stands for. Her faith is her own, and she is willing to stand her ground for what she believes, and, she will walk shoulder to shoulder with any who want the world to be more loving, peaceful and just for all.
There are many things that I admire in this first daughter, and chief among them are her compassionate heart, fierce loyalty, and deep intellect. Add to that a wicked sense of humor, love of the written word, pie baking passion, and deep love for mending our broken planet, and my mother-cup runneth over.
Happy Birthday Haley.
Our world and my heart are better because of you.
(And to my other three daughters...be ready when your next birthday rolls around. I can’t wait to write about you, because as you know...you are each, in your own way, my favorite!)
