Faith. She's 12.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at 10:33PM It is late and I should go to sleep because my day started at an hour that started with a four which is basically criminal except that I did it for love so it’s all okay.
I’m not even that tired.
Much.
When any family incurs a loss - however it comes - what follows is a year of hard “firsts”. The first Christmas without … , the first Easter, the first vacation, etc. Today we tackled the first birthday. Faith drew that straw and all four of us were uneasy yesterday thinking about it. What’s funny is that none of us said a word to each other, but we all knew it.
Can I just say again how awesome my kids are? Last night Reagan was determined that her little sister would wake up with a smile on her face. So she came up with the idea of buying a collection of little gifts and attaching them to streamers.
Then, after Faith was asleep, she got on a stool and hung the streamers from the ceiling right outside of her door. When I went to wake Faith up this morning, instead of going in as I usually do, I stood outside and knocked. She opened her door looking confused and then broke into an ear to ear grin.
Mission accomplished Reagan. Score one for awesome big sisters.
One birthday tradition we’ve always had is French Toast for breakfast - but it’s not me who has made it in the past, so I wasn’t sure what Faith would want. I asked her a few days before hand if she still wanted French Toast or if we should try something new. She decided to stick with tradition.
So I made it, according to the usual recipe if not with the usual chef. All three kids scarfed it down so it must have been acceptable.
We opened presents at breakfast since it was the only time all four of us would be together. She got a volleyball from her sister, a copy of The Hunger Games movie from her brother and I got her a make up case stocked with all the things she’s been sneaking from her sister’s supply thinking we wouldn’t notice.
She liked all of it.
Throughout the day she got cards and phone calls from family members. The entire 7th grade sang “Happy Birthday” in the cafeteria at lunch. (“Mom! I was so embarrassed!” she said with an enormous grin.) There were presents from her dad at the house when she got home and she took treats to share at dance class.
At 9:30 when we finally got to eat her birthday cake, Faith was pleased. “You know what? It was a good birthday.” she said with a happy sigh of relief.
I thought so too.
My baby is 12. I’ve decided I can call her my baby until she’s a teenager. I plan to do so frequently all year long.
Reader Comments (16)
Can't she be your baby forever? That is my plan :o). I can only imagine your pain. My old neighbor is going thru the same thing, so glad I was able to hug her and give her a tissue, as she did a first last week. Glad it was a good day. Your kids are awesome!
Love this. Regan is a superstar! And I'm so happy that Faith had a great birthday. I fully support you calling her your baby until she is 13 because that means I get 6 more years with my "baby". I'll take it for as long as I can get away with it and you should too!
Sounds like you all made it very special and fun for her! And I'm told we can call them our baby forever and ever... so that's what I intend to do! :o)
Happy Birthday Faith!!!
This is bittersweet, but your kids are awesome for sure. I'm so glad it was a good birthday!
I love the streamer idea! My 'baby' is 22 but I still sometimes refer to her as my baby. Sniff. Happy Birthday to your lovely daughter!
i have tears in my eyes as i see the joy and love from this day, even though it was a "first". happy birthday, sweet faith!
Krista - In my head I'll call her my baby forever, but I think her patience with me saying it out loud may end soon.
Lori - I think your baby can carry that title as long as you'd like.
Abby- Really? Nice!
Jessica - she says thank you
Christina - thanks, it really was.
Joyce - I think your baby may actually be shorter than my baby so I say, "go for it."
missy - I love that we do birthdays the same day. Hope yours was good too.
You really are raising some spectacular kids Mindee!
Happy birthday to Faith, I can't get over that she's 12. Don't grow up too fast. Enjoy every step of the journey.
Aww Reagan (and all the kids) are growing into such lovely lovely young people. To think of her sister in such a way is truly a mark of her becoming a young woman. A very Happy Birthday to Ms. Faith.
Love you Mindee. That had to have sucked for you, but I'm so proud of you and your kids for making it special. BTW - I concur - as the baby of the family - she will be your baby forever. . . .
umm... is it sad that i have the taste of a 12 year old? i want all her birthday gifts as my own. especially hunger games. which i saw three times in theaters...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, FAITH!!
and you can make me french toast ANY DAY.
Happy birthday, Faith!! What a great day!
And major props to Reagan for being such an awesome big sister. In all my years of playing, I have never seen a pink volleyball - I love it!!
Your kids are great and seem like a super support team for each other!
Man, you are an amazing writer. It's such a privilege to see inside your heart as you travel this road. It probably gives a different lesson to each and every one of us.
Wait, as the youngest, doesn't she get to be the baby forever? I always though that was the rule!