Today would have been is my daughter’s 29th birthday.
I remember two previous ones, in particular.
The night before the day she was born, it was laundry night, and I went to the local laundromat to do the task.
This was 1983, and we didn’t have cell phones.
I arrived back home and my wife gleefully announced, “My water broke!”I stayed calm and handled everything appropriately I went a little crazy, probably acting a like Rob Petrie in the Dick Van Dyke Show.
But, we made it to the hospital, all was okay, and at 0730 the next morning our daughter was born.
Fast-forward 12 years later, and my daughter wanted a party with her girlfriends, and with our friends.
So we had a quick get-together at my house (my wife and I had separated, but she was present) with a few adult friends (better gifts, don’t ya know!) then they left and I was herding a bunch of eleven and twelve-year-old girls who were eating snacks, drinking soda and giggling. LOTS of giggling.
After the impromptu fashion show and make-up show, I was banished to the Elba of my room while the girls watched Jurassic Park, The Bruce Lee Story, and The Mask. (my daughter was nothing if not eclectic in her cinema choices!)
Then, it was bedtime (you’ll notice I didn’t say sleeptime) and there was more giggling. Eventually all went to sleep, I think.
In the morning, I made real pancakes with real maple syrup and bacon. And the parents eventually collected the giggling brood.
The next month we were T-boned and Molly was lost. Molly was just 12.
Every birthday, every holiday, every new year is bittersweet.
At least we had her for twelve years.
Happy Birthday, Molly!
Thank you for sharing. My prayers go out for your comfort. Know that Molly still loves you. I firmly believe that our lost children intercede for us in heaven and await our being together once again.
Posted by David | February 8, 2012, 9:05 amBittersweet. I am sorry for this loss, but also happy that you have such warm and fond memories of an adorable child.No words of mine can magically make it better, but also nothing could ever take away your beautiful memories. You carry her loss hard in your heart, but there shouldn't be room in there for all of the love for Molly that you have. Happy birthday, Molly.Bittersweet. We all experience that to different degrees. You are a good man – you got more than your share, but not more than you can handle.
Posted by North | February 8, 2012, 9:29 amHappy Birthday Molly{{{Guffaw}}}Today I'm going over to stay with my dad as he recovers from his bypass surgery and his wife has to be away. He needs someone to be there as he's not allowed to lift, bend, reach over his head, etc.I will be thinking of you. And I will give my dad an extra hug, as you so often instruct us to do with our loved ones.
Posted by Tomi | February 8, 2012, 9:38 amThank you kind sir.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 9:43 amThank you my good friend.I'm glad you think I can handle stuff – I'm not always so sure.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 9:45 amA Happy and Sad Story all at once. Happy Birthday to Molly and to you Guffaw, my sympathies.
Posted by PISSED | February 8, 2012, 9:46 amThank you for the virtual hug!Glad you remembered my intonation.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 9:47 amThank you, sir!
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 9:47 amI'm sure you made the most of the time you had with her. It's a lesson I'm trying to learn right now with M&M.
Posted by Shepherd K | February 8, 2012, 9:59 amHappy Birthday to her, and thanks for keeping her 'alive' in your memory!
Posted by Old NFO | February 8, 2012, 10:09 amI certainly tried. Keep at it, bro!
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 10:13 amThank you for her, and for me!
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 10:14 amThey've all said the things I would say. Regarding your remark about not being sure if you can handle it all, there's this: an old Scottish seminary professor once said, "Aye, gentlemen, it's true that the Lord will nae give you more than you can handle … but sometimes I wish He did nae have such a high opinion of me."Thank you for sharing your love for Molly with us. We'll remember her today, along with you.
Posted by Rev. Paul | February 8, 2012, 10:19 amThanks Rev. Paul for your remembrance and your confidence in me.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 10:25 amGlad you remember he well and with such love.
Posted by DirtCrashr | February 8, 2012, 3:16 pmHER! *redface*
Posted by DirtCrashr | February 8, 2012, 3:16 pmThank you, DirtCrashr.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 6:06 pmI looked at that beautiful face and my heart skipped a few beats. Don't know how you keep it together brother, God bless you.
Posted by Dick | February 8, 2012, 6:44 pmThank you. Truth be told, sometimes it IS difficult.But I know she'd want me to.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 8, 2012, 8:02 pmI remember when you first posted about Molly's life. I think about her, and about you and the arc of your life, whenever I visit your blog. Happy Birthday Molly, and to you too, Dad.
Posted by ASM826 | February 9, 2012, 7:29 pmThank you kind sir for remembering.
Posted by Guffaw in AZ | February 9, 2012, 9:05 pm