Welcome To The World
25 years is 9131 days (have to figure in leap years, of course.) 25 years is a quarter of a century. 25 years have passed since I lay in a hospital bed in Roanoke terrified of delivering my baby because I’d been told she wouldn’t survive birth. At 6:37 p.m., as Charlie Daniels played at Victory Stadium during Festival in the Park, she met this world as a whopping 8 lb. 13-ounce bundle of sweetness that smelled like cake and looked like Don King with her cap of hair. It stood up on her head like the hair on those troll dolls from the 1960’s.
She looked like she had apples in her cheeks. I was told it was because of hypotonia (low muscle tone)—I didn’t care. I just wanted to kiss them.
Extended Childhood
25 years. That’s how much time I have had so far being the Queen’s Omma. We travel. We shop. We laugh. We watch Barney (still) and we swing. We laugh so hard her one eye closes & no sound comes out. We enjoy life. We love watching “Good Times” together (she loves her some J. J. DYN-O-MITE!) And we love DQ.
Oh, how our town needs a DQ.
She’s my perpetual kindergartener–even younger in some ways. But that’s okay. I relish the fact that she still wants to sit on my lap, and play with bubbles, and finger paint, and scribble with crayons. Then there are the random times when she acts a bit older. Her love of dinner theater and her sometimes sassy tone (which I love) reveals there’s a mix of ages intertwined in her “medically impossible” genetic makeup.
Aside from a few uniquely-said words, she’s non-verbal. Non-verbal doesn’t mean she can’t communicate, however. It can be frustrating for her sometimes when she’s trying to tell me something but just
doesn’t
know
how.
It can also be interesting for me, too, trying to decipher her words, or learn her signs—like the time she watched me stand at the counter & snarf down dinner and was persistent in telling me something that was on her mind. Omma was in a rush. Had things to do. Had to get her bath ready. Dry her clothes for school tomorrow. Gave no thought to dining etiquette.
The Queen had been poring over a Barney book before my eating caught her attention. She tapped the back of her little hand underneath her chin and would giggle and giggle and sign it again. I kept asking her, “What are you saying? What are you trying to tell Omma?” The next day at school I mimicked the sign and asked her speech therapist, “What does this mean?”
“That’s the sign for pig,” she replied.
And B giggled and giggled…
Blessed–indeed.
25 years I’ve had so far. My blessings are not lost on me. I do not—ever—take for granted a single day I have with her. Nope. I won’t. I can’t. Each day is a blessing. Each day is a gift. And today—May 29—is a day of celebration—a celebration of the amazing, unique, 95 lb., petite young lady who fills my days with joy and awe.
Happy 25th Birthday, Punkin. I love you with every fiber of my being and I’m so proud to be your Omma!
Teresa, what an amazing tribute to Britni. You indeed are blessed. She is lucky to have you as her mom. Your love and nurturing is proof that there is more beyond biology & medicine in this world, God created your miracle and has allowed you both to learn and grow. What a mighty God we serve. I’m so glad you have this day to celebrate!
Amen and amen! Thank you for your sweet words. 🙂 Love & hugs to you, Jessica!
This is precious! Love! Happy Birthday, Brittney! I hope it’s amazing and magical. ❤
Thank you, Jeanie!
She is what the word (Love) means. Happy bday Queen.
Thank you, Barbara! 🙂
those doctors had no idea the strenght of faith of her family…and that Lil pesky stubborn streak we all share. Britni sweetheart we love you so much. have a lovely birthday (my sister Jackie was also born this day)
As always, tears.
<3
Oh Teresa your blogs always make me cry. Every time I read your posts my heart just melts. I can’t help but think what an amazing young lady that the queen is, but also how lucky that she is to have been hand picked by God and placed in yours and Robs life. You amaze me of the mother that you are. You are truely what a mother is supposed to be. The way that you pick up every little detail and realize how big that moment is. Your way of describing her special moments allows us to share in those moments with you. I love being able to celebrate in her life as you allow. I pray that God blesses you and your beautiful Brit and your family beyond anything that you can ever imagine. She is truely a blessing from above.
Sincerely
Love Angela
Thank you so much, Angela! Love & hugs to you, dear one!