Today is the birthday of my only child….and though, 99% of the time, I am happy that she is happy where she is, today I had a little thought sneak into my head…if she were,like the daughters of many other friends, somewhere nearby…!

Oh well.

I can still see her, warm and red, making her first cries (rather feeble; she HAS picked up volume since then!)…I see the infant, angry that she is going backwards; see the little girl going to school, the teenager thinking about boys, the young girl going far away to study, and growing up there…Why should I feel bad about her being far away, there are SO many of her right here in my heart.

Happy birthday, my dearest daughter. Be happy..and be serene.