Erin

My daughter Erin wants me to post a memory on her Face Book page. I have been thinking about it all day. How can I choose just one when my mind is filled with so many memories of her? At all ages and all stages there is no way just one stands among the others. I have memories carrying her from my pregnancy to her arrival . She was the perfect baby. I still see her as a toddler taking her first steps learning her first words - that were all her own language mimicking the sounds and expressions she did see and hear. I still recall reading bedtime stories and hearing her belly laugh. A sweet funny laugh that would light up a room full of serious, sober, cranky adults - no one was immune to her infectious smile, great dimples and laughter. She used to clunk around in her dads work boots and a diaper. My brother and his friend taught her to break dance on the living room floor. I think that was her first introduction to dance. Too cute.

I remember her getting her first hearing aids and how she went around the apartment asking what the sound was . . . water running in the bath, birds singing in their cages - so many new sounds with much excitement and confusion.

She loved to dress up and play with her dolls and have tea parties. She was my constant companion and traveling partner. We sang songs and made fun of things. When Erin was little she had the occasional temper tantrum as she asserted her independence with a personality, ideas and choices that were hers alone. She has always been strong willed and independent, smart, talented and athletic and amazingly artistic. When she would not let me brush her long beautiful hair and neglected to do it herself I threatened to have her hair cut short. Well later when it was looking a big ragged off we went to the hair dresser for a short cut. Much shorter than even I expected (but so cute) she never has forgiven me ; )

The Raggedy Doll was a red haired Cabbage Patch doll and a poem we read on a regular basis. I can still recite it word for word. Strawberry Shortcake and Care Bears were favorite toys and movies. Her favorite cartoon was Chip and Dale and early Micky Mouse and Pluto when you did not need to hear the dialog to find the humor.

I remember her school field trips and science projects. Helping with her homework and attending her dance performances, soccer and volley ball games. Endless memories of life, love and laughter mixed in with the usual frustrations and struggles. In her eighth grade Christmas performance, Erin taught the first graders to sign Louis Armstrong's, What a Wonderful World. There was not a dry eye in the place. I will never forget that. I thought it was the last performance that I would see her in - you know going on to high school they don't have to many Christmas talent shows. Boy was I wrong.

We have taken the music bus from Rafi's, Baby Beluga to MC Hammer and Parachute Pants, Boys to Men to blues concerts in the park and a Carlos Santana concert on her 21st birthday and all stops in between. And oh what a ride its been.

Her first trip away, she went off to a deaf camp in Colorado. I think she was about 12 years old - on a plane - by herself - no fear (on her part) I remember sending her off to college and how hard it was to let her go. We attended the new student weekends where the parents were invited. We shopped for all the things she would need for her new dorm room and made sure she had class schedules and knew where her classes were and had all her books and supplies.

I am proud of the woman she has become and in awe of all she accomplishes. One memory is to hard to pick from so many wonderful times. I am grateful for all the moments and all the memories. Erin is a blessing I treasure everyday.