Day 21: Giving thanks for extended family!
Today we celebrated the 3rd birthday of my God Daughter, Brooklyn. She is one of the children of my oldest and dearest friend, Becca, whom I have known for 35 years. Our friendship started at the age of 18 months when our parents both bought brand new homes on the same street. From that very first day, our families became fast friends. Our Mom’s both ended up working for Kaiser, my sister and her brother went to school dances together and both ended up at the same tiny college in Illinois, we all played soccer together, and have been through weddings, funerals, christenings and every major life event together. Becca’s house is where I would retreat when I didn’t like the menu at my own house – inevitably her Mom would get the call when my Mom was serving liver! I have been blessed to be Becca’s Maid of Honor at her wedding but one of the greatest gifts she has ever given me was the invitation to be present in the delivery room for her 3rd and 4th babies. As we waited for her labor to progress with #3, she and Mike asked me to be Brooklyn’s Godmother. It was a privilege to even be in the delivery room, but to be asked to be the Godmother of the baby girl was a true honor and beyond words. And then the real icing on the cake was when I was able to cut Brooklyn’s cord. It was like the trifecta of perfect life moments! It is a day I will never forget! Today, we celebrated that little baby turning 3. What a joy that we are still so close and we can celebrate these special moments together. Sean, Jodi, Becca and I are like siblings, and we all have a second set of parents. What started out 35 years ago as 2 young families both with 2 children the same age living on the same street, has turned into one big happy family that now consists of 4 grown children, 3 spouses and 9 grandchildren. Today as we watched little Brooklyn blow out her candles, I couldn’t help but be reminded of all the birthday’s our families have enjoyed together. Our memories now become the stories we tell our children. For the gift of friendship I have had with Ro, Terry, Becca, Sean and now their families, I am eternally grateful! My life is richer because of your love, support and friendship!
Happy 3rd Birthday Brooklyn!!
The next generation of the family!!
