I am lying in bed exhausted and totally spent. It is not the day after my daughter’s elaborate, pull-out-all-the-stops Sweet 16 Party – it is the SECOND day after.
My feet still hurt.
My back still aches.
This is day two of being utterly exhausted and shaky.
I expended way, WAY too much energy.
I haven’t put out this much adrenaline this whole year of recovery.
We overspent on food and decorations.
We overspent. Period.
I think I’ve been hit by a train.
(Dang! Sometimes it just feels good to whine!)
Why did I do it??
Let me see…
My daughter’s last year has been fraught with anxiety, sadness, turmoil, sickness, fear, confusion, dashed hopes, and grief. This sounds very dark as I write it. But I know it is no exaggeration. For sure, there have been some bright spots, but it is clear to her, our whole family and those close to her that she has never before (in her 16 short years) experienced a year even close to this painful. None of us will look back with nostalgia at her 15th year.
Why did I do it?
Maybe the party was a passage to a new (and happier more hopeful) year…
Maybe it was an attempt at compensation – trying to balance the scales…
Maybe it was a way to reminder her how incredibly proud I am of her for enduring this year and actually growing leaps and bounds through it…
Maybe it was a thank you to her for all the help she has been this last year when I was too sick to help her in the way I really wanted to…
Maybe it was a strong affirmation of the amazingly good choices she makes in her friendships…
Maybe it was a desire to honor those friends who have stayed so close and supportive…
It was all these things.
Why did I do it?
Because for my daughter, dancing is the cure for just about everything!
Because “besties” like these don’t grow on trees!
Because it is clear our daughter loves us sooooo much!
Because helium is just plain FUN!
Because this I want this group of guys in my daughter’s life. Really.
Because these smiles make me happy.
Because this smile makes me extremely happy.
Her big birthday celebration for NEXT YEAR??
Papa Murphys.
A DVD.
That’s it.
What a celebration! This will be a party she will always remember. I remember mine because my friends totally surprised me, yeah, I was wearing my not so favorite clothes, my hair was soaking wet, and I had on my glasses. No beautful dress like Lizzy's, but lots of loving friends. Yeah for her, and good job parents!
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