Thursday, January 28, 2010

A ninth birthday.

A ninth birthday.
Three times thrice hath winter's rough white wing
Crossed and curdled wells and streams with ice
Since [her] birth whose praises love would sing
Three times thrice.
~ Algernon Charles Swinburne

I don't know what it is about Elizabeth's birthday that makes me reflect on so many things: life, her amazing self, parenting in general, my role as a mother. She's my firstborn and only daughter. She is my spirit personified in so many ways, and yet she is a mystery in others. She is fearless, outspoken, adventurous yet cautious, fiesty, persistant, fun-loving and perpetually smiley, much like me. She is also artistic without self-consciousness, unflustered by growing up in a house full of boys, flighty (in that artsy, always-in-her-own-head kind of way) and unafraid to flaunt her own style; traits that are foreign to me and that I appreciate as uniquely Elizabeth.


She is beautiful, in a way that makes me terrified for the teenager-hood that is quickly approaching.


She has an innate appreciation, more so than our other kids, for the things most important in our family: faith, nature, arts.


She lives, breathes, exudes creativity, without even trying.


She is the one who made me a mother, gave me focus during difficult times, inspired me to become the person and mother that all my children need and deserve. She is 9 today.


Happy birthday, Elizabeth!

12 comments:

  1. What a beautiful tribute to the young woman your daughter is becoming. She is blessed to have a mom like you! Hope her birthday is magical.

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  2. Happy birthday, Elizabeth! I can't believe how grown up you are! You're just lovely!

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  3. Happy birthday to your beautiful, sweet Elizabeth!

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  4. Happy birthday sweet Elizabeth. Beautiful post Joy. She is so true to herself <#

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  5. Wow, you put into words so much of what each of feel. Happy Birthday to your daughter, and happy birth day to you. Such gorgeous photography

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  6. So beautifully written Joy! And HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Elizabeth from our tribe. Yes, 9 is oh so special! And yes, with a daughter as beautiful as she is, I would fear teenagerhood too ;)

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  7. Happiest 9th birthday, Elizabeth!!!

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  8. a beautiful post for a beautiful girl!

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  9. Such a beautiful girl and such beautiful words. Elizabeth sounds like an amazing girl although you can see that each day in your photos. I too am terrified of the "teenager-hood" that is quickly approaching. :( Let's try not to think about it and just enjoy our amazing and creative girls! Happy, happy 9th to Elizabeth...

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  10. happy birthday, sweet girl. what a touching post. it brought home, so fully for me (again, the importance of our nurturing confidence in our children. you have clearly done so beautifully with elizabeth, joy.
    nicola
    http://whichname.blogspot.com

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  11. Oh, this is so sweet. I do hope she had a very nice birthday. And I have to say I just LOVE the first photo with all of the missing teeth. :)

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