To My First Born
79Cara and her sister, Christa
To My First Born
When I was first pregnant
I used to sing to you
Songs of love from a Mother’s heart
And words that were honest and true.
I chose your name at age sixteen;
I heard it and just knew
I’d have a girl of my own someday.
So, ‘Cara’ was saved for you.
Carefully I watched over you
Preparing for your birth.
More precious than anyone else to me;
Immeasurable was your worth.
One early December evening
We drove the treacherous road;
Travelling to the hospital,
Through the winds, the snow, and cold.
The morning of December fifth
Into my arms you lay;
A sweet meeting of two hearts;
A love that will always stay.
Happy Birthday, Cara. May your year be filled with peace, joy and health. May you always find a slice of sunshine in your corner of the world. May your blessings multiply with each new day.
This poem was written December 5, 2011, the birth date of my first born. I don’t think there is a mother in the world who can forget the day that she gave birth. I was twenty when Cara was born. That was back in the seventies and my whole focus during my pregnancy was to bring to completion the healthiest baby that was.
Me: The Flower Child (1972)
Pregnancy
I prepared for her birth by eating healthy foods, avoiding caffeine products, not ingesting any medicine or alcohol, and using only herbal teas for a soothing drink. In the course of my pregnancy I did a lot of walking, as well as stretching exercises. Since I was planning a ‘natural’ childbirth, I sat in the cross-legged position each day as often as possible to stretch the muscles in the pelvic area.
In addition to reading books about the progression of the developing fetus, I took a Lamaze childbirth class. Lamaze is a method of preparation for childbirth without any anesthetic. I wanted to assure the best beginning for my baby, and knew that having drugs in my system would affect her level of alertness.
I was what my children refer to as a ‘flower child’. I would breastfeed, use cloth diapers, and when it came time to feed her solid foods, would grind her food myself via a small, portable baby food grinder. Those were my goals, and I was able to successfully bring them to fruition.
Although I had an ultra sound I chose not to learn the sex of the baby ahead of time. This was not a problem for her father or me, since I already knew that she was Cara. I was aware from the age of fourteen that I would have two daughters. Perhaps it was the close relationship I had with my own sister, but intuitively, this information came to me as true knowledge.
The Story Behind Her Name
When I was sixteen, I began to teach ballet through the community education program. In the first group of students I met Cara’s namesake. I had never heard that name before and was enchanted by it, tucking it away in my mind for the time when she would become a reality.
Today is Cara’s birthday. She has grown up to be a wonderful, loving and caring daughter. She is bright, intelligent, beautiful and witty. She has a profession that she takes seriously and has a natural ability to teach-I could tell that from the time she would ‘play school’ with her sister and neighborhood kids.
Cara is a mother herself now. I see traits of little Cara in her daughter and son. She is an awesome mom who knows when to be serious and when to have fun. She enriches their lives with many extracurricular activities and teaches them along the way.
Please join me in wishing hubber elite, Cardelean, a very Happy Birthday. Thanks!
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Beautiful poem and Happy Birthday Cara!
Awwwww...wonderful Mom and Daughter! Happy birthday, Cara!
Wonderful hub...great poem...and a happy birthday to Cara...you must be a proud mum.
For those searching for one step you took, here's the correct spelling for finding the link: Lamaze. Technical stuff on a joyous day, Happy Birthday, Cara; and Happy Birthing Day, Denise.
Happy Birthday Cara! You are beautiful inside and out!
Denise,
Loved the poem and could so relate to your pregnancy experience. I had my son in the late 70's, was working in an obstetrician's office and doing everything humanly possible to have a healthy baby plus set a good example for my "pregnant patients." I was so blessed to be in that nurturing environment at that point in my life. Felt very cared for, supported and useful!
Enjoyed remembering those times today and am once again grateful that I gave birth to a healthy son (as you know my hubby is a Vietnam Vet and as a group they experienced higher rates of birth defects in their offspring).
Voted this hub up across the board except for funny.
Denise, this is a beautiful birthday tribute. And you are quite correct; no mother can forget the day she gave birth to her child. The world shifts with such indescribable love, and the feeling that we would throw ourselves in front of a train to protect them. The care, protection and love you demonstrated for your daughter before she was born reflect the wonderful love you have had for her over the years, and who she is today.
Happy Birthday to Cardelean!
Happy birthday Cara! Beautiful name,beautiful woman.
Happy trails Denise,enjoy your grandchildren before they grow up and get busy!
AWWWW!!!! Thanks for the birthday wishes everyone!!! Thank you so much Mom for this beautiful poem. I am the daughter I am today because of the wonderful mother you are. And as persypcacious said, Happy Birthing Day to you!
Beautiful poem, and sentiments, I know that kind of mother's love! Happy Birthday Cara! Up and beautiful.
Denise, a lovely poem which reveals two lovely spirits: yours and your daughter's. I too have long loved the name of Cara, for its meanings and for how it sounds.
May your daughter Cara have a love-filled birthday today!
December 5th is my mother's birthday, and I miss her. I thought especially of her with your last two lines, "A sweet meeting of two hearts; A love that will always stay." I think that she would smile at such a perfect, poetic ending because, according to the Celtic spirals, circles, and knots which were ancestrally in her persona, the ending flows from and to the beginning.
Beautiful!
Kind regards to you, Denise, and to your daughter, perfectly named as Cara.
Beautiful Story, you gave your daughter a wonderful name. Happy birthday to Cara.
Hi Denise! What a beautiful tribute to Cara!
Lovely hub- I have difficulties remembering the years they were all born in, however I remember the births as if they were only yesterday!
Dee, that was beautiful. I love the names you gave to both of your beautiful daughters(my beautiful nieces). They are wonderful women, I give you and John all the credit for that. Happy Birthday Cara, I love you.
Hi letterme-thank you for reading and commenting. :)
Susan-nice to see you-thanks for reading.
Patti-Good to see you-thanks! We've been having some fun here, as you know.
Hi one2get2no-thanks for reading-yes, I am proud of her. :)
Hello Perspycacious-thanks for that tweaking, LOL It didn't look correct when I quickly wrote it this morning in the airport...Yes, the 'birthing' day, otherwise known as 'labor' day! LOL Thanks for reading.
Hi Gail-those 70's days, eh? They were wonderful. What a blessing that all went well. Thanks for your feedback.
Hi Genna-thanks for your sweet comments. She'll see all the wonderful comments when she reads the hub.
Yes, Baygirl-time flies and the kids quickly grow up. My oldest granddaughter just measured herself against me this weekend-she matches my height and she isn't even 12!
You're welcome, Cara. XXOO (yes, and as I explained to him-it's called 'labor', LOL.) But, thank you my dear. It was fun visiting this w/e.
Hello simplegiftsoflove-thank you very much for your comments and vote up.
Stessily-what a touching comment you left. My mother's birthdate was December 1st and we thought for sure Cara would be born on that date, but she hung out for a day of her own. :) We honored my mother by giving Cara her middle name. My family heritage is Irish on my father's side, so that has been an influence on me as well.
Hello writer20, thank you! I appreciate your comment and birthday greeting.
Hi Dexter-nice to see you; thanks for your comment. :)
Case1worker-isn't that the truth! I have just two to recall and the years get fuzzy, but the birthing day experience remains sharp. Thanks for reading.
Liz-so good to see you here. Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment. I will have to credit your brother for choosing Christa's name...it was the right one after all that was wrong, LOL :) Hugs to you.
Great poem, honoring thy child on their birth date. Kudos, kudos, kudos. That is the way it should be, always. Happy B-day, Cara, Happy Birthday to you. A mother's love is Timeless and Eternal.
Happy birthday to Cara, happy birthday to Cara, happy birthday, happy birthday...blessed birthday to you:)
Thank you, Kelvin-nice to meet you. Many blessings.
Hi Donna-thanks for the birthday greetings for Cara-I will pass them on, or you can visit her page @ cardelean. :) Hope all is well with you.
I hope your daughter Cara had a lovely birthday. I think that your poem is a thoughtful and touching gift of words from a Mother to her child.
Hi Debbie-thanks. I think her pre-birthday was better-she did not have to work the w/e. Monday was her workday. Thanks.
The poem was interesting to write. I wanted to capture some of the experience through the poetry. Usually I just recount with each child the day/night of their birth.
Denise, one of the joys of being a follower is notifications that pull me back to hubs that have touched me. I am pleased to be pulled back here because I did not see these photos on my first reading. They are lovely! It's interesting that in the photo of Cara, her head and gaze practically match your photo! I look forward some day to a poem about Christa.:-)
Kind regards, Stessily
Hi Stessily-you are probably one of the few people (other than Cara) who returned to the hub. I'm glad that you did. The photo of her and Christa were there all along. The photo of me was added later, after I had already sent out responses. I was disappointed I did not have time to post the photo at the time I did the original posting, but am okay with letting go of that need to control.
I appreciate your revisit and comments. That is a very interesting observation about our eyes. The other 'match' for me and my daughter is our smile, although you do not see it in this hub. My daughter Christa matches my nose. :)
Thanks, Stessily-I promise to get over to your site very soon to read your work.
Hi Denise,
So I take it from what you have written that you were the "flower child" on Mackinac Island. Yes...from what I have heard that would have been a great summer job!
Happy birthday to your daughter and congratulations on writing a beautiful poem dedicated to her. It is something that she will always cherish and we get to enjoy as well. Thanks!
Hi Peggy-yes, that is a younger version of me in that 'Flower Child' photo. I guess I had better clarify that. LOL Thanks for your comments. I think Cara appreciates both this hub and Giverny, which was the hub I dedicated to her when we travelled to Europe together.
Lovely poem Denise. Happy Birthday Cara. and Merry Christmas..
Hi Ruby, thanks for your sweet message. I appreciate it and will send on your wishes to her. :)
Wonderful hub and poem Denise, a very happy birthday to Cara.
Thanks to those that have left birthday wishes since I last made a comment. I can feel the love from all over the world!
Hi MovieMaster-thanks for the read and comments. I see that Cara has followed your comment so she has read your greeting as well. :)
Hi Hon, nice to see you pick up your 'mail' in my hub, LOL Hope your day is going well and don't forget: "It's Wednesday, It's Wednesday, Hump Day means you're half way to your days off again," lala la lala la
oh, i'm so deeply touched by this poem Denise...it only shows how great a mother you are, and an inspiration to all...Cara means face in Spanish but i bet you knew that already...such a sweet name...
Hi Raciniwa-I'm so glad you enjoyed this poem. I did not know that about the Spanish meaning of Cara's name, thanks!
Completely incredible and totally wonderful too.
Hi acaetnna-thanks so much for your comment. I appreciate it. :) Warm Season's Greetings to you and yours.
Beautiful, Denise. That flower child pic looks pretty contemporary! That's neat that the two of you share an interest in writing, and are both on hubpages.
Hi Kim, Thanks for reading and commenting. Hhaha about the photo. I'm loving that she is on HP also.
Aaaw, this made my eyes wet, sniff. The part where you said when Cara was born there was a sweet meeting of two hearts. I smiled at your photo, as I used to march in peace protests and was already considered a little different from the average teenager. :)
Thank you for leaving your beautiful comments in my hub about suffering being optional. I just read various comments tonight and want to ensure that you are aware I read them and always appreciate them.
Good morning Marie-thanks for your time in reading this hub. I know how busy you are with your website, your business, and your book. Lovely to see you this morning. Happy New Year-glad you enjoyed the hub. Us Hippie gals have to stick together!
Wonderful poem and truly lovely story.
Hello Irene-thank you for reading and commenting. Welcome to Hubpages. :)
Denise, I think December was a tough time for me.. I guess I was too busy and missed this beautiful tribute to your first born, Cara. The poem and the write up are so touching. You are a wonderful mother Denise and a wonderful human being. God Bless, have a lovely weekend.
Hello Dear Sophie-no worries about not reading this hub in December...the present is always the 'right' time. And, thank you for reading and leaving your kind comments, I appreciate them, as well as you. Thanks for connecting with me on HP. I'm truly blessed with your friendship. :)
again I can feel the blessings in your words.. so bless you all once again Frank :)
Thank you, Frank...I'll let Cara know as well. Have a sunny w/e. :)
i didn't know you wrote poetry. Nice work!
Thanks Justin-actually, I've written quite a bit through the Patron of the Arts contest; before that, many of my poems are sprinkled in with other earlier writing.
Thanks for the comment. How's the soup? :)
question about the soup... i went to buy the ingredients and there was no flounder. I'm not sure what flounder tastes like. can you think of a good alternative?
cod or tilapia would work. or, any whitefish. Or, skip the fish and use shrimp, scallops, etc. Good luck. :) Glad to see you are still 'game' for this recipe.
I am late for your daughter's birthday but never late to be inspired. You know as I read through this, it made me reflect how much joy your words would bring to your children. To know how you felt, loving them through each memory. Okay I am teary eyed now. I just know that this is very valuable and I am touched by your heart. Love and light..:)
Thanks so much, Michelle, for your words and time you took to read this. I appreciate it. I know my daughter enjoyed this poem, as well as the one called 'Giverny', which I dedicated to her. Thanks for reading, :) and all your well wishes.
Precious! I am sure your daughter is flattered by your loving tribute to her.
I too was 20 when I gave birth to my oldest daughter. Now an adult she makes me so very proud.
I love the photo! My how times have changed. I have family on Mackinac Island, but have never been there. Someday I will.
Thank you for sharing your story with us.
Thank you, Tams, for the kind comments. My daughter is also a hubber here (cardelean) and she did enjoy the poem. I'm curious about your family on M.Is and you have NEVER been there? I'd love to be able to own property there-esp the west bluff. I wanted to live there soooo badly-at least in the summer, LOL I have written another hub about the island. Thanks for reading.
A beautiful tribute to your daughter. I did the same thing, but on Valentine's Day for my adult daughter, who is now 28, and she loved it. My son, who is 23, is a poet, artist, etc., and I wrote one to him as well, describing the day of their births and the meaning of their names. How wonderful to express such in this manner. Faith Reaper
Hi Faith-thank you for reading and offering your version of this special poetry for loved ones. I appreciate it. :)
Great poem and nice photo of you both. Much love and respect to you and your family.
What a beautiful tribute to your daughter.. She is very lucky to have you as a mom! Voted up, beautiful & awesome :0)
Hello Wisdom25-thank you for your feedback about this poem. I appreciate your greeting. BTW-the very top photo is one of my TWO daughters-sisters. Cara, my first born is on the left and Christa, my youngest on the right. They indulge me, once in a while, with posing for a sisterly photo. LOL
Hi Jamie-thank you, that is so sweet. Thanks for the votes.
letterme 5 months ago
This is really wonderful :) Happy B'day Cara.