Happy Birthday Maliea

Maliea and I left right after seminary and went to eat breakfast at Wildflower Bread Co. Just me and her!!! I got her baby book to present her with and the enclosed letter. I crafted a letter for this first daughter of mine when she was 3 months old to give to her on her 18th birthday. I should have done it with the others but alas I am not yet a perfect mother. We read and cried together and shared memories of her past. Maliea was very wise in stating that I had been too hard on myself then. Why don't we accept ourselves and be more gentle as we learn the parenting role?
It was a very nice morning! In her letter I wrote about my hopes and dreams for her. Most interesting that a great deal of the trials in her life have dealt with Mark which was so contrary to what I had wished for her.
Her birth was grace. I was eclamptic and going into a coma as the doctors did a c-section. Then there was this tiny little blond perfect baby girl. I will always be grateful for Mark's strength in being there and seeing his wife almost dying and his beautiful baby being born. Regardless of how things turned out in our marriage...he was incredibly brave and noble on that day. I am grateful for his courage and the love he showed me in that operating room.
Maliea has been given unique life challenges. She has borne them well. She has overcome and worked hard on things that come easy to most people. She has continued to show love to everyone even when they reject her and are cruel. Maliea has a long journey and she teaches me each day to be more.
Her grand gift she chose at IKEA -yes we are addicted-A new deep red duvet cover and light duvet with matching pillow cases and sheets.
On to being a grownup Maliea. Wow 18 years!!! Thanks for letting me be your mother in this life, thanks for teaching me and loving me! I am truly blessed by knowing you.