My only daughter and first-born came to us this day twelve years ago. This brings back a flood of precious memories and ‘firsts’ as a momma. The tenderness of the first hold of this tiny (well, chunky in her case) baby. First delivery, first time nursing, first bath, first complications with health, first car ride, first diaper change, first night of nursing with no sleep, first visitors, etc. All were firsts and new experiences in the journey of life. It was new territory, new adventures, and new memories to log for the day and for the future.
I had my committed and amazing mom helping me vicariously. She was devoted, loving, and raised us, for the most part, by herself. So as I came into motherhood I pulled out those memories to help me through my firsts. I didn’t have any blood family close by to help with the firsts. They were all back in Iowa. Mama Purvis stepped in to help me most the time. My dear friend Edi, had her first, one-month to the day after me, and a co-worker named Jennifer was having her second baby. We were all pregnant together. They helped me with the firsts that I found difficult to master. We were building memories together, sharing the richest experience that God has to offer women.
In the past 12 years we’ve had lot of firsts and we’ve made lots of memories. My sweet chunky dark-haired monkey has turned into a lean dark-haired beauty as we walk into the firsts of adolescence and the tween years. I know we are getting ready to make some new memories and do some NEW FIRST’S. Just like 12 years ago, I reach out and ask for help and guidance in the navigating of firsts. I ask God and others to come alongside and help me on the journey. I was having my devotion this A.M. and the Lord reminded me again of something very important. She is my first and God entrusted me to raise her. He could have picked anyone, but he chose me to love, develop, discipline, direct, support her. What a sweet reminder this day.
This day I cherish the MANY first’s in the last 12 years of being Mommy and Mom. I look at the memories and pull them out to remind myself of the richness of God’s love. It’s not what you have that you leave behind. It’s what you did that leaves an imprint and impact on this earth.
