Anna's Birthday

On Monday my "baby" turned 14!! Even now i tear up just seeing it in print. For 27 yrs i have had a little one to fill my day. All of my children have brought great joy in my life. When i found out that yes, indeed God was sending us a "surprise package". i felt like i held a very special treasure within me. When it began to be evident that child#4 was on her way i began to get some of the "good natured", rude comments that some people feel they must share. i swear 100,000,000 people asked me "don't you know what causes that??" or this one " i am sure glad that it is you and not ME!!!!" i so wanted to say "yes i am glad that it is me and not you too" Next year Anna will go to high-school. When all of my other children went to high school the mom--child relationship changed a little. And i think that it should, but no one asks if you are ready to let go a little. It seems like only yesterday that i would get up in the night with her and would rock her back to sleep after the big burp happened and then she could fall back to sleep peacefully. But, now if i hear her up in the night i give her a Midol and heating pad and she goes back to sleep on her own. There are so many things about Anna that makes me so proud of her, the way she goes over to our neighbor's and spends time with their Down's Syndrome daughter. i love to watch her play with all the babies in our church nursery. Anna has a very tender heart and she really wants to make good choices. The other morning we all woke up late and in the rush some sharp words were said, but i never thought much about it because i know how easy it is to say things that we don't mean. But on her lunch break she called from school to tell me that she was sorry for the things that she said to me. WOW she really is growing up and she is making good choices. There are so many wonderful things that are waiting for her as she grows up and i want her to experience everyone of them. But on the other side there holds too many disappointments that i wish i could keep her a way from. i know that will be impossible. i just want her to ALWAYS know that no matter how big or how small the heart ache we are here for her. We will do whatever it takes to help here become herself. Not what i think she should be but the precious Anna that God so wonderfully gave to us, 14 years ago....t