Happy Birthday, Alison!

Twenty-nine years ago Alison came into our lives! Wow! I can't believe how time has flown by. As I think back to the time she was born I always seem to gravitate to her baby book and look back over the milestones of her early years. Here is what I wrote on her first birthday:

"July 7, 1980

My Dear Little Alison,

I'm finally getting around to writing in your baby book. You are a year old today and in thinking back to the day you were born I still remember it as if it were yesterday. You were kind of stubborn about coming into this world, but once here, you let everyone know about your arrival. I remember how fat you were and how red your hair looked. You looked at me with those bright little alert eyes and I thought then and still do everytime I look at you, that you were a miracle from the Lord. When I first got to hold you and nurse you this warm feeling went through me and it still happens everytime you wrap those sweet little arms around my neck and squeeze. I never realized motherhood would be so precious or so fulfilling. I just thank the Lord everyday for allowing you to come into my life.

This page is entitled "Mother's Message to the Child" and my message to you would be that you would grow up knowing how much your Daddy and I love you and that Jesus loves you too. I pray that in time you will come to know Him as your Saviour and that you will always live with Jesus as the center of your life. I also pray that when the time comes for you to take a husband that you will find a man as good as your Daddy. And when the moment comes for you to give birth to your first child, I hope the experience will be as wonderful and exciting for you as your birth was for me. I hope also that your baby will bring as much joy into your life as you have brought into mine. Your Daddy and I consider you a gift from God and we have given you back to Him to use as He pleases. I just pray that you will be conscious of His guiding in your life and that you will adhere to His call your whole life through.

I love you,

Momma"

Well, not much has changed in my message to you. You are still precious to me and my hopes are still the same. Although you have not had the privilege of having your own child yet, you have enjoyed being very involved in your nieces and nephew's lives. I feel sure God will bless you with children when the time is right.

Alison, you have grown up to be such a remarkable young woman. You have talents and skills that you willingly use for the Lord. You are a very capable and responsible person which has helped you gain promotions at work. Life has thrown you a few curve balls and you have endured much over the last years but have done so with dignity and grace. You have displayed a strength and courage that can only come from one who has a close walk with God. I am so proud of you and continue to feel very blessed to be you mother. I love you!