Rant #2,143: Happy Birthday

Today is one of the most important days of my life, as 30 years ago today--on May 15, 1988--I became a father for the first time.

My daughter was born that day, and my life changed forever from the moment that she came into this world to now, and into the future.

She was my little bundle of joy, the cutest little kid that I had ever seen, with a full head of pitch black hair that was incredible to see.

I held her, I fed her, and I cleaned her.

She was part of me, and will always be part of me.

I went to all her big events, or at least, all her big events that I knew about, since as you know, I am divorced from her mother and my daughter did not live with me.

Every time I saw her, she seemed to grow up even more, and now, she is 30 years old.

I just cannot believe that it is that long ago, but it was.

She is a young lady now, gainfully employed, with her own life to live.

I do wish that I was a bigger part of her life, but I have done all I can do to make that happen.

She is her own person, and she does what she does and there is nothing I can do about it.

But whatever she does, I am very proud of her.

There have been obstacles in her path from the moment she was born, but she has hurdled just about all of them.

When I see her, I get a good feeling in my heart, and honestly, I wish I could see her more to experience that feeling not just occasionally, but over and over and over.

I just have to reflect back to those moments I remember from days long past ... when she was trying to talk, and she said "seena" to mean "pick me up" and "boma" when she wanted my mother.

I remember her sitting in the high chair and me giving her a drink of soda for the first time ... she made a face at the bubbles, but then, waving her arms, she wanted more.

I remember taking her to every McDonald's in our neck of the woods--she loved their hamburgers back then--and I remember the long discussions we used to have about "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles," another one of her favorite things back then.

I remember seeing her off to school every year when she was younger, and how proud I was of her as she got onto the school bus to begin her journey there.

Later, I remember feeling 10 feet tall when she graduated all her schools, from grammar school up through college.

Sure, for every good thing I remember, there were plenty of bad things too, but who wants to think of such things on such a great day like today?

Now, she is 30 years old, and I simply cannot believe that that little peanut I held in one hand is really now a full grown young lady (yes, that is her in the photo with my son).

Not only was she my first born, but she was the first grandchild on both her mom's and my side, and she is the only female grandchild that my parents have. I believe she was also the first great grandchild, too, but I know she was on my side at least.

I look forward to seeing her again. There were some schedule conflicts, so I won't see her until next week, but I am sure it will all be worth waiting for.

So happy birthday if you are reading this, and if not, I will send a message telepathically to you as best as I can do.

"I hope you has a great birthday, and that this very special day is one to cherish for you.

Love and kisses!

Have a great birthday, and I will see you soon."