I’ll whisper to you today, as I do most every morning, you are your OWN superhero.
Till I could teach you.
Till you could understand what I said.
I wore the words for both of us.
As you grew.
And talked.
And showed you could sense what they meant I handed the tee-shirt reigns over to you.
I reread this post frequently & it still brings tears of joy to my eyes.
These KINDERdays when I whisper those words Im likely to be met with sighs of “I know, Mama!”
And a quick departure to change into this:
I pray you never lose sight of your powers.
I pray you use them for those who have none.
I pray in those moments when you forget what you posses you still remember to look inward not outward for answers.
More than anything I thank you for teaching me the real meaning behind what has always been one of my favorite quotes:
Enjoy all the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things.
Only now do I really understand.
Happy birthday.
May it only be filled with little things.
Mallory says
November 30, 2011 at 2:27 amYou are a gem of a human being. It is wonderful to see you treasure everyday and when the Tornado becomes a young woman (don’t worry, that is many moons away) I have no doubt she will look back and be forever grateful you raised her as you have.
Loretta says
November 30, 2011 at 3:10 amWhat a lovely, touching post.
Happy Birthday, Tornado!
Hanlie says
November 30, 2011 at 3:29 amAs always I am in awe of your mothering philosophy and skills. It’s a beautiful post, but I know it’s not just a post, it’s the way you’re raising your daughter. She’s a lucky girl!
Happy birthday, Tornado!
Lance says
November 30, 2011 at 4:52 amHappy Birthday Tornado!!!!!
Heather @ Not a DIY Life says
November 30, 2011 at 5:30 amHappy birthday, Tornado!!! (Oh my word, I love the chunky baby pic!)
Laurie says
November 30, 2011 at 5:34 amHappy Birthday to you both.
Have a great day!
That was beautiful!
Erica says
November 30, 2011 at 5:37 amHeart this post. Happy birthday Tornadoooooooo!
Hallie says
November 30, 2011 at 5:38 amThis is beautiful. Happy birthday Tornado!
I love the photos.
Liz says
November 30, 2011 at 5:39 amThis is lovely, Carla.
Joy says
November 30, 2011 at 5:46 amHappy birthday tornado!
Thank you, Carla, for sharing your wisdom and stories with us!
Hallie says
November 30, 2011 at 5:48 amYou need to write a funny and serious parenting book, Carla
Fab Kate says
November 30, 2011 at 5:48 amHappy Birthday, Tornado!
Carla, if she’s taught you all this in just 6 short years, imagine what she’ll teach you in the next 12 or so.
Dana says
November 30, 2011 at 5:54 amMade me cry this morning! I really do feel like I’ve watched her grow up. Awesome Happy SuperHero Birthday to the Tordando!
Lara says
November 30, 2011 at 5:56 amWow. I didn’t realize you’d said that phrase her whole life.
Love the tees.
Valerie says
November 30, 2011 at 5:57 amHow beautiful! You’ve cleared the sleep from my eyes with tears…
Happy Birthday, Tornado!
Kim says
November 30, 2011 at 6:07 amHappy Birthday sweet girl! How can our kids be turning six???? Stop.It.Now! 🙂
Maria (RealFitMama) says
November 30, 2011 at 6:37 amOk Miz,
I’m crying at 6:36 in the morning.
That was beautiful, touching, and everything I dream for my girls as well. May al our lives be filled with little things.
Nicole says
November 30, 2011 at 6:39 amHappy birthday to your beautiful daughter!
Runner Girl says
November 30, 2011 at 6:40 amI love this post and the quote.
Happy birthday Tornado!!
Laura says
November 30, 2011 at 6:51 amSo So awesome! Happy Bday Tornado!!
Rae says
November 30, 2011 at 6:56 amSo beautiful.
Is she going to school today?
Kim says
November 30, 2011 at 7:05 amHappy Birthday Tornado! And congratulations to you on another year of outstanding mothering. She is a very lucky little girl. 🙂
Marisa @ Loser for Life says
November 30, 2011 at 7:05 amAw, much love and hugs to you both!! As a mom, I know it’s hard to see them grow up so very fast, but it’s also so cool to see them develop into their own person! Hope you both enjoy the day!
Jenn (gh) says
November 30, 2011 at 7:11 am*sniff*
Happy Birthday Tornado!!
Jody - Fit at 54 says
November 30, 2011 at 7:13 amCarla, I have no doubt that by teaching by example, Tornado has a much better chance at this thing called life than most.. you & RenMan have done the ground work & still do.
The quote – Enjoy all the little things, for one day you may look back and realize they were the big things – that is TRUE! At 54, I can say that & wish I knew then what I know now so you are doing it right!
HAPPY BDAY TORNADO!!!! Carla, enjoy your day with her!
Andrea@WellnessNotes says
November 30, 2011 at 7:13 amHappy, happy Birthday Tornado!!!
The quote is one of my favorites, too. And children are so good at reminding us to appreciate/be fascinated by/get totally lost in the “little” things!
Melissa says
November 30, 2011 at 7:22 amWow. What a way to start my day. Beautiful. Happy birthday Tornado!!!
Coco says
November 30, 2011 at 7:35 amAnd Then We Were Six …. 🙂
Karen@WaistingTime says
November 30, 2011 at 7:43 amThis is so beautiful! And reflects what I have come to know and love about you… as a person and as a mom. Happy birthday to your little one:) My baby turned 19 last week!
Erin says
November 30, 2011 at 7:54 amHappy Birthday Tornado! She has the best birthdate ever (mine is today, too).
Pure2raw twins says
November 30, 2011 at 7:57 amHappy Birthday Tornado!!! so beautiful 🙂 wishing you both a wonderful day filled with many blessings!!
Tara Burner says
November 30, 2011 at 8:12 amlove the post
Happy Birthday Tornado!
beautiful superhero!
Ryan @NoMoreBacon says
November 30, 2011 at 8:22 amThis is so beautiful and so wise Carla! I had no idea E and I were almost birthday twins!
Have a great day together as superheros!
Barb says
November 30, 2011 at 8:27 amBeautiful! Happy Birthday Tornado!!!
Tamara says
November 30, 2011 at 8:36 amThank you so much for reminding me of something I’d forgotten as of late. As a busy parent, sometimes it’s hard to stop and enjoy the little things.
May the two of you have a wonderful day together!
Patty at A Day in My NYC says
November 30, 2011 at 8:40 amHappy birthday, Tornado!!!
Already I have been inspired by the wonder that is YOU!
xoxo
Katie says
November 30, 2011 at 8:46 amThis makes me want to be a mom 🙂
Jill says
November 30, 2011 at 8:52 amMiz this is so sweet. You need to print this out and give it to her someday when she has her own little superhero.
Happy Birthday lil Tornado! 🙂
Joyce Cherrier says
November 30, 2011 at 8:57 amHappy Birthday to your precious girl! Can you give her a giant hug for me? Beautiful post 🙂
Erika says
November 30, 2011 at 8:58 amI cried reading this beautiful post. Happy birthday to your lil tornado! What a great family you have 🙂
Vonnie says
November 30, 2011 at 9:00 amI teared up at this as it is what I’d love to have heard from my own mom.
It is the little stuff.
Katy Widrick says
November 30, 2011 at 9:03 amGORGEOUS.
Debra says
November 30, 2011 at 9:12 amWhat a happy day. Happy birthday tornado!
mousearoo says
November 30, 2011 at 9:14 amHappy Birthday to a wonderful girl.
Shannon says
November 30, 2011 at 9:27 ambeautiful post. happy birthday, tornado!!
juliejulie says
November 30, 2011 at 10:35 amAnd now we are six! Congratulations, to the entire lucky family.
Deanna @ The Unnatural Mother says
November 30, 2011 at 10:40 amBeautiful!! Lovely! And just plain awesome! Happy Birthday!
messymimi says
November 30, 2011 at 10:43 amHappy Birthday, Tornado!
Shelley B says
November 30, 2011 at 10:44 amHappy Birthday to the Tornado, and happy Parent’s day to you and Renman!
Janice - The Fitness Cheerleader says
November 30, 2011 at 10:57 amHappy birthday to the most powerful superhero in the whole world!
suzanne says
November 30, 2011 at 11:16 amHappy Birthday to a very special Tornado!
lindsay says
November 30, 2011 at 11:22 amhappy birthday to the coolest tornado around. Carla, this was a beautiful post. You are truly blessed!
Kim Shand says
November 30, 2011 at 12:39 pmGreat wisdom, Carla. And a wonderful gift to have (and share) this wisdom now, rather than finding it in retrospect as you look at your beautiful 18 year old Tornado
Erin says
November 30, 2011 at 1:01 pmHappy birthday you little Super Girl! I hope you and your Mommy and Daddy have an amazing day!
Andrew says
November 30, 2011 at 2:37 pmHappy Birthday Tornado!
Would you think me silly if I told you this post nearly made me cry this morning (in a good way) !
Lori says
November 30, 2011 at 4:33 pmSweet! Happy Birthday Tornado and to her happy parents!
Barbara says
November 30, 2011 at 6:50 pmWhat a precious post! Happy Birthday to your Tornado!
Barbara says
November 30, 2011 at 6:51 pmWhat a precious post! Happy Birthday to your Tornado!!
Roz@weightingfor50 says
November 30, 2011 at 6:55 pmHappy Birthday Tornado!!!!!!
Cammy@TippyToeDiet says
November 30, 2011 at 7:34 pmHappy Birthday Hugs from “Miss Cammy” 🙂
Hadyn says
November 30, 2011 at 7:50 pmdude, the Tornado totally swiped my SuperGirl costume
Myra says
November 30, 2011 at 11:00 pmWhen its my birthday I always give my mom a gift , thank her, and wish her a happy “birth” day.
Happy “birth ” day Carla. <3
shevy says
December 1, 2011 at 8:07 amBeautiful!!! Happy Birthday to your Princess…. <3
charlotte says
December 1, 2011 at 8:14 amSo so beautiful! What a little peanut the Tornado used to be! This made me all teary thinking of my own little ones and how fast they grow. Happy birthday (belatedly) to the Tornado and happy Momma Day to you, my friend:)
Health bee says
December 1, 2011 at 2:54 pmWhat a lovely post. Happy birthday to Tornado.
Dawn says
December 2, 2011 at 1:45 pmAwe, you are a wonderful mommy! Happy Birthday to the Tornado 🙂
Susan says
December 3, 2011 at 7:35 amI LOVE that quote. What a wonderful thing to read on a Saturday morning. Happy belated to your growing Tornado. And thank you to her mommy for sharing such great lessons 🙂