Today on February 12, Teri's having a birthday!!

This picture is of Teri and me out to dinner. We very seldom get a picture of the two of us, and when we do I usually hate mine while Teri always looks great. But I thought this one was acceptable! Teri is the young pretty one.

My little girl is a year older today, and I can hardly believe how fast the years have gone. This also makes me older which is actually horrifying to think about! Teri is my first child, and I remember how I was like a mother lion when she was a newborn - or what I think they would be like. I didn't take her out of the house for 3 months unless doctor appointments, and I didn't let anyone get close to her if they had as much as a runny nose. When I did take her out, I had her wrapped in so many layers of clothes and coats, that when I unwrapped her, she was all sweaty! I'm surprised she survived me, but she came through with flying colors. I nursed her and would always go in a room by myself with her and sing her the same songs over and over again. It was sort of "our time." I would sing "Bye, Bye Blackbird" and "You Are My Sunshine."

There must have been more but I can't remember that far back right now! Those were my favorites. When I was in New Orleans several years ago, I went to Pat O'Brien's club and while drinking one of their famous hurricane drinks, I asked the piano player to play "Bye, Bye Blackbird." He said that was a great song and would sing me the dirty version a little later! Sadly, I had too much hurricane and never got to hear the other version. I was led away by friends!

Now Teri is all grown up and lives 3,000 miles away from me. I give her advice all the time like, "get your flu shot," "be careful in the subway," "don't stand too close to the edge in the subway," and on and on. It seems a lot of my advice concerns the subway system. I'm sure she listens to me and follows my advice.

I'm so proud of what she has accomplished on her own. She went clear across the country and made a success of her life and did it all by herself. I miss her terribly and wish she were closer, but the opportunities were where she settled. Our roles seem to be changing a little as she now gives me advice quite emphatically! But I think that's the way life works, isn't it?

I hope your birthday is a good one, Babe, and just know that I love you more than I can express.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, TERI!!!