Happy Birthday Ri!!

20 years ago today, my first-born (to me), my little Ri, made her way rather quietly into the world.  I wasn't screaming (more along the lines of grunting), and she wasn't either.  That was a little worrisome to everyone else in the room, but it had been a very long, difficult delivery, so I didn't even have enough wits about me to realize there was a problem.  I was rather surprised when they wouldn't let me hold her, ("Just give her a quick kiss Mom"), but regained enough presence of mind to ask my mother to accompany her to the NICU.  I was very pleased when my mother returned not too long after that to report that all was well.
In the ensuing 20 years I have watched her grow into such a lovely young woman. Intelligent, loving, independent, and thoughtful of others.  Now I watch as she starts this new part of her life out with the man she loves, and who loves her dearly in return, and I'm so very happy for them both.

I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
as long as I'm living
my baby you'll be.

Happy Birthday Ri!!