Fourteen and a half years ago, I lay on the hospital bed at Zion hospital, fingers and toes crossed, praying, wishing for a baby girl. Heart beating fast, waiting ever so patiently for Dr. Adams to determine the sex of this miracle that I carried close under my heart. Now don’t get me wrong, I would of been more than happy with a beautiful baby boy, but I already had my Taylor. More than anything I wanted a girl. I wanted to experience all of those girlie things. Bows in the hair, pink, dresses, bonnets, giggles, dress-up, tears, shoes, first crush, first heartbreak, prom, shopping, pedicures and manicures, slumber parties, her dreams, passions, her wedding and most importantly when she becomes a mother. Staring at the monitor, searching for a sign, waiting patiently; I finally hear the words, “Michelle, you are having a baby girl.” A tear slides down my cheeks and a huge smile appears, “YES!” I kid you not, as soon as I left the hospital I was at the store buying the cutest little pink Nike’s. I had been eyeing them for the past two months. Here we are fourteen years later, getting ready to graduate from the 8th grade, moving onto another chapter in her life; high school. Truth be told, like the song say’s, “Don’t Blink”. I will tell you it feels like I blinked because it seems as if yesterday Bailey was learning how to walk, having her first play date, starting Kindergarten and now here we are turning 14 tomorrow, going to Washington D.C. & New York for a week without me, moving forward with confidence and grace. A pocket full of dreams.
There is a certain song that hits my heart every time I hear it. This is my song to Bailey, these words are MY hopes and wishes for you my baby girl:
“I hope you never lose your sense of wonder. You get your fill to eat but always keep that hunger. May you never take one single breath for granted. God forbid love ever leave you empty-handed. I hope you still feel small when you stand beside the ocean. Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens. Promise me that you’ll give faith a fighting chance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance. I hope you dance. I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance. Never settle for the path of least resistance. Living might mean taking chances but they’re worth taking. Loving might be a mistake but it’s worth making. Don’t let some hell-bent heart leave you bitter. When you come close to selling out reconsider. Give the heavens above more than just a passing glance. And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance, I hope you dance. Time is a wheel in constant motion always rolling us along. Tell me who wants to look back on their years and wonder where those years have gone. I hope you dance.” ~Lee Ann Womack
Happy Birthday Bailey and Congratulations on all that you have accomplished through out the last 14 years. Excited for what the future holds.
Love Always,
Mom
THANK YOU Bill, for capturing Bailey’s true self and spirit.
3 comments
WOW….all i can say is wow!!
Absolutely beautiful photographs that show how lovely a girl Bailey is and the young woman she is becoming!!
Beautiful girl!!! Nice job Bill and Michelle – and your entry made me cry!!