24

My cry.
Sitting up.
My first steps.
My green eyes.
My sassy attitude.
My independent nature.
My first day of school.
Learning to drive.
Graduation speech.
Moving me to college.
Graduation from college.
My first job.

All things that my parents weren't sure they were going to get to enjoy on this day 24 years ago.
They were expecting a baby sometime in November of 1985, a daughter and a sister who would join a brother six years her senior. But, that was not the plan. I was born in August. A full three months before I was expected to arrive. Not only was it unexpected, it wasn't easy. That day or for a while after. I was tiny. I stayed in the protection of the hospital until my due date three months later. I couldn't wear normal clothes, only those made for what would become my favorite accessory: a cabbage patch doll. I had to take growth hormone shots until I turned 15. I had to visit a hospital in a town 2 hours away every 3-6 months. However, this didn't slow me down, didn't keep me from learning to be a fighter, appreciate life, enjoy things, make friends, endure heartaches, and develop an independent attitude. Nope, here I am, 24 years later still going strong and you would never know where I had come from and that I almost didn't make it here. So, today at 2:10 pm, I will welcome the start of my 24th year, and be thankful. Thankful for God giving me a purpose and letting me begin on the journey we call life, thankful to my mom for letting me share her for those 6 months. As she always said, I came into the world fighting and I haven't quit. I fight for what I believe is right, fight for what I want, and sometimes fight to be heard. But, I am me, here I am, closing the door on 23 and opening the door to 24. Happy Birthday to me! Here's to many more.