…I gave birth to my first child. This year she gave me my first grandchild. Soon, I will be going to her house and make the rice balls, onigari, my mother used to make for me. We will talk, and admire her little baby. My youngest daughter who adores her big sister will give Dionna the special birthday present she made for her last night, and I will know there is nothing I can give my child, now a woman, that will come close to the wonderful blessing she has been to me.
You know, I’ve been involved in so many causes throughout my life and have thought so many things were important, and a number of them actually were…but when you come right down to it, the greatest joy and the most important things in my life have always been my children.
On my life’s journey, I have not always been so mindful of that, nor have I always been successful in conveying this to them. But I know this is so. Even in my darkest places, there was never a doubt I loved them or just how important they were to me…there were times, when it was the thought of them that pulled me through…
In being truer to myself, I endeavor each day to be truer to my children.
Happy birthday, Dionna. I love you.
Mom
