Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Sweet Sixteen


I have the impulse to just say Whew, brush my hand across my brow and call it a day. Sixteen years! Sixteen years! Sixteen years! I don't even know what to say, so in keeping with the miracle of these here internets and this beautiful blogging community, I'm going to post a poem that Eric at I am a broken man/You can't break me posted as a comment here yesterday. Eric's beautiful and heroic son Segev shares a birthday with Sophie, so I wish him Happy Birthday as well.

Remember back to that day when Sophie was born,
when the universe feinted a cloth so
torn,
that the motions of life bittersweet took
form.
Praise! Beautiful hardship, tender girl, no longer sprite, beautiful curl.
Gaining, gaining, sweet success, of wishes of blossom
without duress.

Finally, I want to honor another beautiful birthday girl, Miss Katie Gerstenberger, who was born on the exact same day and same year as my Sophie. Katie passed away several years ago from cancer, but her mother Karen keeps her memory alive at her beautiful blog Gberger. Happy Birthday, dear and beautiful Katie. You are alive in my heart, your sweet face and smile a part of me.

I've written two posts about Sophie on her birthday on this blog, and if you'd like you can read them HERE and HERE. And here are some pictures of our birthday morning, a raucous celebration before school:

Not quite ready to get up


still sleepy and a little seizury (that's what happens when she wakes up)
listening to Grandma and Pop Pop sing Happy Birthday





Oliver is the official helper for present opening




Birthday breakfast: strawberries and Swedish pancakes

Happy Sweet Sixteen to Sophie!
at

40 comments:

  1. ClaireMarch 8, 2011 at 10:29 AM

    Lovely! Happy Birthday SoCal Sophie!

    ReplyDelete
  2. From the KitchenMarch 8, 2011 at 10:32 AM

    Happy Birthday sweet Sophie!! And also to those who share your birthday. I love the breakfast!! And, of course, I want to know what was in the boxes.

    Elizabeth, I am working on putting a "print" tab on my recipes. The most popular place is asking me to make an addition to my template and I'm hesitant. I am still sure that there's a button I can push that will wipe out the internet for the entire Chicago area!!!!! = (

    If there's a recipe you would like, just leave me a comment and I'll e-mail it to you for now.

    Best,
    Bonnie

    ReplyDelete
  3. Maria NaccaratoMarch 8, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    Happy 16th birthday Sophie! Love, all your cousins. The photos are so wonderful! XO

    ReplyDelete
  4. Kathleen ScottMarch 8, 2011 at 10:57 AM

    So much love in this post--from you, the boys, your friends. And the poem was amazing. Happiness today to all of you.

    ReplyDelete
  5. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Happy Birthday to Sophie!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Carrie TurnerMarch 8, 2011 at 11:45 AM

    Happy Birthday, Sophie - what a blessing! (Eric's poem is lovely).

    ReplyDelete
  7. 37paddingtonMarch 8, 2011 at 11:49 AM

    Happy Birthday, beautiful Sophie!

    Sophie's brothers really do get into the act, don't they? I love how close and loving your children are. You can see it in these pictures.

    ReplyDelete
  8. AnonymousMarch 8, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    Happy birthday to Sophie. What a beautiful poem.

    ReplyDelete
  9. ElisabethMarch 8, 2011 at 12:59 PM

    Happy birthday to Sophie. That's a stirring poem especially given the life of Sophie. You have good cause to celebrate. Thanks for the other links.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Ms. MoonMarch 8, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Perfect poem and perfect pictures and she looks beautiful and I can tell she's really enjoying the celebration.
    My love to you all...M

    ReplyDelete
  11. AMarch 8, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    So nice to see that little grin on Sophie's face!

    ReplyDelete
  12. DeanaMarch 8, 2011 at 1:37 PM

    Happy Happy Birthday to Sophie!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. HeatherMarch 8, 2011 at 2:47 PM

    Happy Birthday beautiful Sophie!Sending love and all good things your way,on this day,a day to rejoice in the gift of your precious,precious life.

    ReplyDelete
  14. NoanMarch 8, 2011 at 2:58 PM

    I think there should be a special word for that first child in a family, the one whose birth creates a mother and father. If I had such a word, I would use it now.

    Happy 16th birthday to Sophie!

    And to Elizabeth: Happy 16th anniversary of the day you became a mother!

    ReplyDelete
  15. GbergerMarch 8, 2011 at 3:06 PM

    I love these photos! She's so happy; her smile is sweet and beautiful to see. That tender love between her and her brothers is a pure miracle to witness. It looks as if your morning was overflowing with blessings. Thank you for blessing my day with your love and generosity.
    I love you.

    ReplyDelete
  16. CarrieTMarch 8, 2011 at 3:18 PM

    Happy birthday to your sweet girl. I read all the time and post almost never, but I enjoy and am blessed by what you write. Our only girl is our only child with special needs also (3 neurotypical brothers). Not the daughter I had originally dreamed of perhaps, but a true blessing nevertheless. Hugs to you and your girl.

    Carrie T. - mom to 4 adopted from Korea

    ReplyDelete
  17. rebeccaMarch 8, 2011 at 3:36 PM

    love this peek into your jOy.
    the cabbage roses on her so soft pink heart.
    lovely. joyful. sweet.

    gracing us all.....on her special day.

    ReplyDelete
  18. LeslieMarch 8, 2011 at 4:02 PM

    So good of you to share these moments with us. The poem was a lovely gift, wasn't it? So lovely.

    Sophie is a very sweet sixteen.

    ReplyDelete
  19. UnknownMarch 8, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    This just all melts my heart.

    and that poem, wow .

    Happy Birthday beautiful full of Light Sophie.

    ReplyDelete
  20. cheatymoonMarch 8, 2011 at 6:38 PM

    Happy happy birthday, Sophie.
    The poem and photos are beautiful. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  21. BLOOM - Parenting Kids With DisabilitiesMarch 8, 2011 at 7:23 PM

    I loved seeing the morning celebrations!

    And there seems to be some incredible synchronicity at work -- with these 3 beautiful souls sharing the same birthday!

    Happy birthday to Sophie, Katie and Segev! And the best Mama!

    ReplyDelete
  22. MaryMarch 8, 2011 at 10:29 PM

    Happy Happy Sweet 16! I loved seeing their three smiles all so close together in celebratory happiness. I hope it was a wonderful relaxing day for all, but you especially! xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  23. emmaMarch 8, 2011 at 10:41 PM

    She is beautiful. Happy Birthday Sophie!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. C.March 8, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    Welcome to sixteen magical, mystical, elusive girl.

    ReplyDelete
  25. SeleneMarch 8, 2011 at 11:45 PM

    Happy birthday Sophie! And happy birthing day to her awesome mother :D

    ReplyDelete
  26. Tess KincaidMarch 9, 2011 at 6:12 AM

    Happy Birthday to your beautiful Sophie. It's so fun to see her being smothered with all that sweet, snuggly love. Thanks for the smiles. xx

    ReplyDelete
  27. L. PetersMarch 9, 2011 at 6:26 AM

    Happy sweet sixteen birthday to beautiful Sophie.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Alan BurnettMarch 9, 2011 at 7:47 AM

    What beautiful writing, I think I am going to enjoy this blog.

    ReplyDelete
  29. UnknownMarch 9, 2011 at 8:39 AM

    Takes my breath away ..... One of the most beautiful blog posts EVER!

    ReplyDelete
  30. Maggie MayMarch 9, 2011 at 10:45 AM

    Happy Birthday beautiful Sophie!!!!

    what a delicious and beautiful breakfast!!

    ReplyDelete
  31. kate hopperMarch 9, 2011 at 11:47 AM

    Happy Birthday dear Sophie! Happy birth day to you, dear Elizabeth. And finally happy birthday to Segev and to Katie. I'm thinking of all of you!

    ReplyDelete
  32. Tanya SavkoMarch 9, 2011 at 6:20 PM

    Happiest Birthday wishes to Sophie! A beautiful post for a most beautiful young lady. xo

    ReplyDelete
  33. Lovely WorldMarch 10, 2011 at 4:07 AM

    Happy Birthday. This is a milestone one! I love these photos. I chuckle seeing the boys - isn't it always the younger siblings that get all worked up with the celebration and gifts? I can see their love for Sophie. All the best. Truly.

    ReplyDelete
  34. SECRET PEPPER PERSON:March 10, 2011 at 4:36 AM

    Sweet Sweet Sophie is 16! The photos are wonderful. Especially the one with her face down. Oh, Sophie I feel like this EVERY morning. I can relate.

    ReplyDelete
  35. CateMarch 10, 2011 at 5:22 AM

    happy sweet sixteen, sophie! hugs and kisses from nyc!

    (elizabeth, wonderful pictures. cousins are truly the best!)

    ReplyDelete
  36. UnknownMarch 10, 2011 at 5:48 AM

    Happy Birthday Beauty

    ReplyDelete
  37. Denise Emanuel ClemenMarch 10, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    I am behind & getting caught up with the most recent working backwards.
    I know there are immense struggles, but this post made me weep over the beauty of it all.

    ReplyDelete
  38. Tanya Ward GoodmanMarch 11, 2011 at 8:21 PM

    happy birthday Sophie. And love to you all. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  39. ANewKindOfPerfectMarch 12, 2011 at 7:41 PM

    Happy birthday amazing Sophie! You have an amazing family. Your breakfast looked delicious. :)

    ReplyDelete
  40. UnknownMarch 13, 2011 at 1:35 PM

    Happy Birthday, Sophie! Thinking of you and hoping you had a peaceful birthday. We think of you a lot when we walk through the Upper West Side near your first home. Love your cousins, Amanda & Ben

    ReplyDelete