Today is my youngest child’s birthday. She isn’t a child anymore, but a grown woman making her mark in the world. This momma’s memories always stir and present themselves as photographs in my head. The annual birthdays of my children cannot be stopped and neither can my mind’s photo album.

Oh that day, 7/11 at 7:07 am was the day my daughter presented herself to the world. She was a large baby with a tiny cry. This little one was a mystery to me. She moved very little before she was born except when I ate ice cream. I knew she was going to enjoy ice cream! It is interesting to notice something about my youngest daughter, she never did things by others’ schedules. She chose when and where she was going to do whatever she pleased. Her birth was the first of her stubborn, do it her way, moments. The due date of her expected arrival came and went twelve days earlier. Then in her time she came into the world. She did not have a name for three days and Cassandra Lynn stuck, at least on paper. As she grew she is such an adventurous spirit that one name could not contain it all and she became Sandy, Cass, Lynnie, Lynn Lynn and my own personal name….’Lynnie the Pooh’ when she was being a bit unreasonable.

My momma memories jump from her sweet belly laughs and hungry for life spirit. She would not be bothered with walking if she could crawl faster. Why get one tooth at a time when seven at once suited her better? She never met a stranger. The world was her playground and when it disappointed her then everyone paid the price in her rant.

Cassandra Lynn has grown up and graduated from college, moved to a nearby city in an apartment of her own with a big girl job and her dad and I could not be prouder. I love that she has the same spirit she had the day she was born. Today she turns 24 years old and the world is still fascinating and pliable for my girl.

I look forward to each and every birthday where I can have my momma memories again and again. Happy Birthday to my Cassandra Lynn! Keep making your mark.

Love your momma