Eleven years ago on this very day a certain redhead was forcefully expelled from my womb.  Surely you’ve heard what they say about redheads.  And if the long overdue aspect of her birth wasn’t enough to warn of what was in store for me, the necessity of forceps should have clued me in.  I paid not a lick of attention to either of these things though; I was distracted by her beautiful long fingers, her porcelain skin, her carrot colored curls.

Over the next few months I had plenty of opportunity to become acquainted with her stubborn determined side.  And determined she is, let there be no doubt.

You know how they say that in order to teach a baby to fall asleep on her own you’ve got to let her cry it out sometimes?  They obviously never met my daughter.  When she was about ten months old and I was tired of her night waking I went head to head with her in a battle of endurance.  I swore that I’d let her cry it out.  I refused to give in to that irresistible plea of hers, begging to sleep with mama.

Guess who won.

I would be lying if I said that her stubborn streak has not been a thorn in my side over the years.  It has.  Oh it has.

But there are times of quiet reflection when I realize that part of her is a blessing.

She is her own person.  She wants what she wants, not what someone tells her she should have.  She knows right from wrong and more times than not she does what is right no matter who is doing what is wrong.  She plays with her siblings because they have fun together, without regard to the fact that they are ‘babies’ by her friends’ standards.  She pairs lacy leggings with denim skirts and brown UGGS and a silver sequined hat even though her teenage sister tells her she shouldn’t.  She goes on the scariest, steepest, fastest slide in all the water park, just to prove us wrong.

She is a strong willed child.  A girl ready to take on the world.

And I have faith in her.  I know that will of hers will take her places.  The determination that I both curse and praise, will surely serve her well.

Happy Birthday Kennedy girl.  You are strong.  You are beautiful.  You are growing so fast.  Treasure these years.  You know what is just around the corner don’t you?  You’ve seen the way your sister turned into a superfreak as soon as she hit her teen years (shhh! don’t tell her I said that!).  How about we make a deal that you stay my sweet girl for just a bit longer okay?  I love you.  And I’m so proud of who you are becoming.  Happy Birthday Ken.

Photo taken 1-6-08