525, 600 Minutes...

One year ago today, you my sweet girl, made your entry into this world and in doing so entered the hearts of hundreds. Your birthday certainly didn't turn out quite as expected. While we did expect to be somewhat overwhelmed as we learned to care for your needs, we never could have imagined that those needs wouldn't include changing your diapers, learning to feed you, or soothing your cries. We never expected those needs to include feeding tubes, ventilators, EEG's, and finally helping you to die. 
I would have expected your first year to be measured so differently; how many outfits did you outgrow? How many diapers did we go through? How many late night feedings? How many sleepless, beautiful nights? How many bedtime stories read, and bath time routines had? How many stolen glances of you sleeping on your daddy's chest?
But here we are, 525, 600 minutes later and no answers to the questions above. Today and every day from here on out, I will measure my days and my life so differently, because of you. 
You have changed my whole heart. I could never have expected to feel the intense love that I do for you. Because of you sweet Sof, I will measure every year, month, week, day, and moment... in love. 


The words in this song have always inspired me, but I hear them with such a different intensity today. Because of you; your birthday and your beautiful, powerful life; ever day is a Season of Love. 


Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Moments so dear

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure - Measure A Year?

In Daylights - In Sunsets
In Midnights - In Cups Of Coffee
In Inches - In Miles
In Laughter - In Strife

In - Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure
A Year In The Life?

How About Love?
How About Love?
How About Love?
Measure In Love

Seasons of Love.
Seasons of Love.

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Journeys To Plan

Five Hundred Twenty-Five Thousand
Six Hundred Minutes
How Do You Measure The Life
Of A Woman Or A Man

In Truth That She Learned
Or In Times That He Cried
In Bridges He Burned
Or The Way That She Died

It's Time Now - To Sing Out
Though The Story Never Ends
Let's Celebrate
Remember A Year In The Life Of Friends

Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Remember the Love
Measure In Love

(~RENT)

Happy First Heavenly Birthday, Sweet Pea. I hope you are surrounded by the glory of Heaven today and everyday. I hope the choirs of angels sing you the most beautiful birthday song, and I hope that you feel the love that you have brought to your mama, reflected back to you.

 I would give anything to kiss you gently as I wish you a Happy 1st Birthday, to watch you tear into a piece of cake, to have you fall asleep against my skin. But today is your birthday, and though different than I could have imagined; it is time now, to sing out because your story doesn't  end.

So let's celebrate and  remember....Remember the Love.
I love you, baby girl, ttmabbg. 


~Mama