Tuesday, May 24, 2016

Tuesday Slice: Time flies


Nine days ago, my firstborn graduated from college.


Last year, she studied abroad in Japan, taking classes and interning for her media degree.

Three years ago, she took her first trip to Japan, and fell in love with the country and the language.

Four years ago, she was anxiously deciding on which of the eight colleges that accepted her application she should attend.

Eight years ago, she began her high school marching band career, playing percussion in the pit.

Nine years ago, she made district level honors playing marimba.

Eleven years ago, she fought to become a percussionist.

Fifteen years ago, she was the smallest player on her coach-pitch T-ball team, and whacking 'em past the baselines.

Sixteen years ago, she started kindergarten in bobby socks and a dutch bob haircut, already reading.

Twenty years ago, she was enrolled in our region's infant-parent program, working to remediate a speech delay.

Twenty-one years ago, she attended her first NICU reunion.

Twenty-two years ago, she had just gotten off her apnea monitor and meds to keep her breathing while she slept.

Almost twenty-three years ago, she arrived a full trimester early, weighing less than a kilogram.  Her head was the size of a tennis ball, her eyes were fused shut, she had no fingernails or toenails.  We were told she had a fifty-percent chance of surviving the first twenty-four hours.

Well played, college graduate. We couldn't be prouder of our miracle girl. 

14 comments:

  1. This brought tears to my eyes. I remember that phone call on the day she was born. A scary start to many wonderful memories. I concur with the "Proud" and I like her being called a "Miracle Girl"; for sure she is that.

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  2. Congratulations to everyone! This is a beautiful story about a tough beginning. Thanks for the lovely read this morning. maribethbatcho

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    1. Thank you, Maribeth! It never ceases to amaze me, what she's done and continues doing.

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  3. This was so lovely. Congratulations to both you and your girl.

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    1. Thanks, Kimberley. She is pretty awesome! My only hope for her was to be able to live, and then to live happily and independently; she's far exceeded those abilities!

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  4. Made me cry! What a miracle girl! Beautifully written... You should frame this for her! ❤️

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    1. Thank you, Kathleen. I love to tell her story; she is an amazing young woman!

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  5. I'm crying too! What miracles they are.

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    1. We love our NICU doctors and nurses, for sure! What a great job they did during the two months she was in their care.

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  6. Wow...a miracle indeed. What a hope affirming slice of life. And, congratulations to your daughter!

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    1. Thank you, Tara! She is a real-life miracle, every little (and big) accomplishment along the way!

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  7. Beautiful! Congratulations!

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    1. Thank you! Congrats to you, too, on your daughter's graduation!

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