A Poem for Ashelleigh

Once upon a time on April 24, 1982
you were born and changed my life.

Then…
You told me you were pregnant.
You were three.
You were going to have a duck and name him Snoopy.

My independent child was so “fashion”.
You dressed yourself in a bathing suit, a turtleneck,
and cowboy boots.

As a kindergartener my budding young author wrote:
“I have a sister named Tessa.
She is a pain but I would not trade her for a dog.”

Your best friends were Bessie and Pooh.
You insisted that Bessie keep me company in the hospital overnight.
How could a child show more love?

You loved the beach.
Building castles and making cookies and shoes out of wet sand.
You loved Dad’s Polish braids,
and his homemade pizza and ice cream cake on birthdays.
Do you still wear your number sweatshirt?

My practical girl asked Santa for books and pencils and paper.
Scotch tape was a prize in your stocking.
“I do believe in Santa! I do! I do!”

My Mary Poppins, practically perfect:
Straight A student, awards, Renaissance girl,
athlete, scholarships, Newsweek Magazine,
Somerville Scholar. Graduate.


Once upon a time…
You grew up. You put on your big girl panties.
Fell in love. Moved to Charlotte. Married.
Told me you were pregnant.
Gave birth to a son (not a duck).

Once upon a time…
your life changed forever.

Change is good,
but aren’t you glad...
cowboy boots are still in style,
and sisters are nontransferable?
Dad will still make you pizza upon request.
Bessie and Pooh have met Cyrus McCormick
and reside contently in Alekzander’s nursery.
Santa and Chester visit every year.
Alligators live under tables in restaurants
And I still love you up to the moon and back again.
(But much bigger, like 28 years bigger.)

loveyourmother
happy valentine's month