To My Daughter On Her 23rd Birthday......

I remember exactly what I was doing 23 years ago today.  On Sunday the 25th your Dad and I had driven Cyndi and Wendy back to Lacy's Springs late in the afternoon.  That evening Cyndi called all excited to tell us the moon was full.  See, your MaMa Byrd kept saying I would go into labor during the full moon.  Your Dad and I ran outside with our little long haired Dachshund, Link, and I pretended to howl at the moon.  We went to bed and I woke up at 3:00am on Monday Sept. 26, 1988 and knew I was in labor.  I jumped in the shower and shaved my legs and styled my hair before I got your Daddy up. Bet that is no surprise to you, Enola.   I can remember very clearly driving through Huntsville around 4:30am that morning and how there was hardly any traffic.  I remember being so excited and thinking of how our lives were about to change forever.  I could hardly wait to hold you in my arms even though I was terrified of child birth.  It was a long and hard labor, but you have been worth a million times more pain than I went through to have you.  I remember Daddy telling me to breathe and to focus on the door knob.  I'm sure you can guess what I wanted to tell Daddy to do with that door knob.  You and I both went into distress and I can remember fading away and thinking I was going to die without holding my beautiful baby!  You didn't make your grand arrival until 7:41pm and what a beauty your were!!  Enola you were the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on.  You have made my life a complete joy and I know your Daddy and Lori both agree with me.  These 23 years have flown by for me sweetheart and I am so proud of the young woman you have become.  You are still the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on.  Happy Birthday Baby NoNo!