March 5th

Today is Daughter #1's 19th birthday. The beginning of the end of her teens.

And we all know what comes after that, right?

Adulthood. Whatever that means.

Young adulthood's kind of like March, an illusion.

March wants us to believe that winter might actually come to an end. That spring is truly on its way. There may even be daffodils and crocuses to prove it, depending on where you live.

But here in the northeast, March is only an illusion. Spring never arrives for real before April or even May. No matter how much we want it to.

In fact, every year since Daughter #1 was born, it has snowed after her birthday. First in New Jersey, now here on Martha's Vineyard. Every year.

Who knows, maybe it snowed after March 5th every year even before she was born, and I didn't realize it because I wasn't keeping track. But I've kept track now for 19 years.

Since I stood at the end of the hospital hallway at the window, and watched the flakes drift down. I remember lifting Daughter #1 out of her bassinet beside me and holding her up to see the snow.

It was a moment of perfection, a still shot in my mind.

Standing there, cradling that tiny little girl, born six weeks early. I was so grateful she was healthy, there in my arms, a witness to this snowfall that by all rights she should not have yet been born to see.

And so, every year after March 5th, I take note of the snow.

Spring may not actually arrive for a while, though it might tease us with a day here or there.

Sort of the way adulthood arrives. After years of faking it, with little teases of reality now and again.

Happy birthday Daughter #1.

Enjoy 19. Every last second of it.

 

Comments

[SuziCate]

Happy Birthday Daughter #1!! Very sweet. Interesting analogy between almost spring snow and almost adult.

[Jan]

Ah, this was lovely, Maureen.

Happy Birthday, Daughter #1.

[Kirsty]

Awww how sweet! Happy Birthday daughter #1!! Sounds like you have a fab mummy! I haven't seen snow in a good ten years although we did get what appeared to be white dipping dots (sleet rain)one very brief day last month.

[Lora]

happy day to you both!

[Peggy]

Happy B-day #1 daughter!. That is such a sweet post.

[Twenty Four At Heart]

Hmmm .. I have a 19 year old son. We should get them together. Or maybe not. My youngest will be turning 15 on March 10th. It rained the day he was born. Rain is not THAT common in Orange County. Every year I note the weather on and after his birthday for rain ... much like you do with the snow.

[Kristen @ Motherese]

What a lovely tribute to your daughter. I hope she and you enjoy the day!

[TheKitchenWitch]

Happy Birthday, beautiful #1!! Is it snowing yet?

[LPC]

Beautifully written, Maureen. And what a beautiful little girl. Such a resemblance.

[Kristina P.]

Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter!

[Erin@theLocalsLoveIt]

This was so sweet and well written. Happy Birthday to DD#1.

[Lynn]

Happy Birthday daughter #1! This was a beautiful post, Maureen. I love how you described March's promise and subtle flirtation. Have a lovely day--with some cake in it, I hope!

[Michele]

Happy Birthday! 19 is the start of some really big events and experiences. Lay back and enjoy them because as you get older time takes a fundamental shift by speeding up. I know you won't believe me because, well, you are 19, but it is true none the less.

[Mama Badger]

Absolutely beautiful. Funny how Mom's notice these things. When I was around 16, my Mom pointed out that it rained every year on my birthday, which to her was the real end of summer. No more warm afternoons in shorts once my birthday rolled around, real autumn from thence forth. Much like Daughter #1 and snow.

Happy birthday to you both.

[lisleman]

Happy birthday to you both, share a simile.
It's our job as parents to show them the world. Snow, rain, ocean waves, there's a much to see and ponder about out there. Nice memories.

[PLRH]

Happy Birthday! I love your analogy about almost spring and almost adulthood. Does it get any easier as they get older?

[Joan]

Happy birthday to your beautiful daughter.

[Jane]

What a beautiful post, honoring a beautiful relationship between mother and daughter. Happy, happy day to you both!

[Ocean Girl]

Aww she is so precious. Her face is so adorable.

And your birthday post is so glorious. Does she get to read this? How do you feel Maureen? Did time fly?

Happy 19th Birthday to Daughter #1 and Congratulations to you Maureen.

[She Writes]

Happy 19! Live in it and drink every minute. it only comes once and never again. There will not be another year like the one you are in :).

[Vincent]

Odd, but I don't think I know anyone born in the first part of March, and even odder given I'm Irish, very few in the December.
Congrats', even if it's 19 years late.

[Erin]

Other half's oldest just turned 19. It goes by so so fast.
Such a sweet photo, and happy b.day to your girl.

[Linda at Bar Mitzvahzilla]

Happy birthday to your oldest girl, Maureen.

[Gropius]

What a sweet, adoring post! I can't believe how fast time goes by with kids. 19 hugh? She's one year away from her twenties. Congratulations to you both, and may each year bring more beautiful snow as a celebration.

[Gretchen]

Beautiful post, Maureen. And a beautiful daughter! I remember 19 as an excellent year. Happy Birthday to Daughter #1!

[mrsblogalot]

Ahhh 19! tell her to take many pictures to remember this year!! Happy Birthday to her!!!!

[Lisa @ Boondock Ramblings]

Happy birthday to your daughter. 19....wow. I remember that day of leaving the teens. Everyone else seemed to think it was a big deal, but I didn't feel any different....somedays I still don't. :-)

Beautiful memory.

[Jill]

Please extend my birthday wishes to her.

It snowed on my birthday this year...here in the desert of West Texas!

[BumbleVee]

sounds like we have the same time frame for winter.... April at the eaeliest .... although for the past two weeks we have had such great days... and the silly robins have come more than two weeks early....maybe they know something we don't. Sure hope so...or they are in for a very rude shock. They usually get a few snowflakes on their furry little heads anyway...but, this early?.... are taking a chance...

[jessica]

oh my God, 19? wow. I can't even imagine. Phoebe will be seven in August and I think that is a big deal. Happy Birthday to your beautiful girl.

[Jen]

I got all warm and tingly reading that. Happy Birthday!

[BigLittleWolf]

This was lovely. The late teens are bittersweet, aren't they. Rather like March.

[dreamfarmgirl]

Love the analogy to March! And so true. Even here in Tx we are teased...blooms arrive, but cold weather has let loose her grip. Many wonderful wishes to your daughter on her birthday and for a great year being 19. The picture of her is adorable too -- she looks a lot like you!

[dreamfarmgirl]

I meant HASNT let loose her grip!

[~The South Dakota Cowgirl~]

I loved this post! loved, loved, loved it! Happy late B-day D#1! Thanks for sharing her day with us!

[Rowe]

Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter, Maureen. What a lovely way to note the change of seasons, too.

[Mrsbear]

Happy Belated to her and you. Adulthood...sigh...such a mixed bag.

Hope she had a lovely day.

[Heather]

Happy belated to your youngin.
Love the image of you with your little tiny baby in the hospital. Very sweet.
BTW..love the new profile pic. Just gorgeous!

[Geri Brin]

Happy post-birthday daughter #1. My birthday is March 8 and I am partial
to Pisces people.

enjoy 19.

geri