Daughter

Twenty-five years ago, and eleven days early mind you, a daughter was born to me.  Given that she was so anxious to come into this world I was caught a little by surprise (as was Chris - he was working in the Cayman Islands, unreachable).  I worked until 5:00 that day, not expecting that later on I'd be hospital-bound (or that my coaches would have had other plans).  As I slowly realized that I was in labor, I called my mother (not around - she was in the hospital herself, which my brother failed to tell me!); called my brother (not around!); beeped (yes beeped - it was 1991 mind you) my coach Janet (not around - just getting back from vacation!); and beeped my other coach Mary (not around - on a first date at a Knicks game!); and began to feel like I was going to birth this baby all on my own.

Eventually it all came together though - Bruce showed up (and got yelled at for not telling me about my mom); Janet showed up, bounding up the stairs to my apartment clapping and singing "We're having a baby! We're having a baby!" (and was confronted with a less-than-joyful laboring banshee); and Mary showed up, all efficient and practical ("How far apart are the contractions?"  "How long have you been having them?" "How long are they?" "What's the obstetrician's number?").  They got me to the hospital just after midnight and at 2:21 am my Princess was born.  Not without drama though - Mary will tell you that I was a, ummm, challenging mother-to-be.

 It's taken a village to raise her - my family, Chris's family, the Melia family, the Tabolt family, friends, neighbors, babysitters, co-workers - too many to name but all of whom have contributed to turning her into the amazing young woman she's become.

She is adventurous, inspiring, generous and loyal.  She is hard-working, resourceful, accomplished and dependable.  She is creative, athletic, fashionable, and funny.  She is polite, well-mannered, modest and respectful.  She is bright and balanced and brave and beautiful.  She is sensitive, tolerant, thoughtful and compassionate.  She is, without doubt, the best thing I  have ever done in my life.

So Happy 25th Birthday to my Taryn, a wonderful young lady, my Princess, who every day puts a smile on my face; who every day gives me reason to keep going; who every day amazes me with her ability, her courage, her talent, her intelligence, her humor; and who every day makes me grateful and proud to be her mother.