June 18, 2010
Happy Birthday, Natalia!
The Birthday Girl
Today is my daughter’s birthday. Nena is twenty two years old.
When we left home for the hospital that June day twenty two years ago, Jeff and I were very much hoping for a girl. We already had an energetic little boy, Mike was three at the time.
Jeff had grown up in a family of three brothers and wanted a little girl of his own.
I wanted a daughter. I wanted a daughter named Natalia. I had picked the name Natalia when I read War and Peace as a ten year old in Serbia. Natasha (nickname for Natalia) Rostova was my favorite character in the novel. I wanted a girl like her.
We wanted a girl so much that I worried that if we had a boy, he might feel unwelcome. So, to even out the odds, I took all blue baby clothes to the hospital. Just in case.
Well, I will never forget the look of pure joy on Jeff’s face when he leaned over me and said, “We have a little girl!” I don’t think I have ever seen him happier.
And when I held my little Natalia for the first time, fragile and delicate as a flower petal, I understood that my love for her had no beginning and no end. She was the girl I had been waiting for.
Happy birthday, dearest angel!
Gracious Living - Day by Day 
Dave Harrison said,
June 18, 2010 at 7:57 am
That truely is a beatiful 22 year old young woman. Happy birthday to her and congrats to you & Jeff for raising such a fine young lady.
Liliana said,
June 18, 2010 at 8:00 am
Thank you, Dave.
Aggie said,
June 18, 2010 at 10:34 am
This is a trully wonderful story, as well as the previous one, about the graduating “twins”. I found your blog by some strike of chance a few months ago, and saved it in my Favorites to read from time to time. I just like your gentle and peaceful tone, your approach to things, and the overall ‘vibe’ of your blog. Thank you! Reading your entries always just fills me with inner calm, sometimes with tears, for not all your stories are the happiest. And maybe there is something else, and that would be in your soul, as we both share eastern European heritage (I’m Polish). Have a wonderful weekend!
Liliana said,
June 18, 2010 at 10:39 am
Thank you, Aggie, for your sweet words. You have touched me with your kindness. Best to you.