Our hearts beat faster

Posted on by Live & Learn

Rachel-2014

The collegiate alumni chairperson of Rachel’s sorority asked the parents of graduating seniors to write a letter to their daughter, which was read out loud to them by their little sister at the traditional Senior Send Off event for the sorority.  The event was held this morning. Here was Rachel’s text to us.

Rachel-text-message

Here’s our letter to Rachel:

Dear Rachel:

Let’s just say that you were difficult from the get-go. Your Mom and Dad tried for 9 years (9 YEARS!), and we almost gave up.  And then you just appeared. Voila! A tadpole on a monitor.  Roll the tape forward 9 months plus 23 hours of labor (23 HOURS!) – – your Mother threw up her hands and Doc pulled out the scalpel.

They say that all babies are beautiful. Hmmmmm. The forceps stretched your head. Your eyes were disproportionately LARGE and bulging. You were WAILING. I had to double pump the scissors with my trembling hands to untether you from your Mother. I was flooded with images of E.T. – – “E.T. Go Home!”  I needed assurances from Doc that all of this, this, was normal.

You had colic for 6 months. You started up when I arrived home from work and stopped during our long walks down Biscayne Blvd.  You were strapped in a papoose tight to my chest. With the fronds on the palm trees clapping in the gentle evening breeze, there you were looking up at me.  Sobbing, then sniffling, then quiet.

We’d come home. I’d turn on Annie Lennox – – “Walking on Broken Glass” – – and you would settle. I would slump down on the couch, exhausted, and let you sleep on my chest. The little hair that you had, was matted and glistening with sweat. Your cheeks and eyes, swollen and red.  Your little fingers clenched my t-shirt. Your heart pitter-pattered on my chest. And your intermittent, puffs-puffs of baby breath – – you, all of you, a miracle.

And then the frames would pass. Minutes, days, weeks and years.  All accelerating.

You left home to go to College. We cried on the long drive home.

You lit up sharing your experiences with Special Olympics, Habitat for Humanity and St. Jude Children’s Hospital – – freezing me in place as I listened to your Sunday night updates. I have yet to find my God, but I could feel something working me through you.

My chest swelled when you were named President of your Sorority. When you made Dean’s List. When you landed your Summer Internships. When you received your first job offer.  (I just cut the cord. We just dropped you off for your freshman year. Where did it go? Sand slipping through my fingers.)

I know you are listening – listening to these words – sitting among your friends.

It’s time.  Time for me to put on my headphones and play “Walking on Broken Glass” in a loop.  And roll the time back to remember the beautiful moments in between then and now.

I can feel you.
I can feel your fingers clenching my t-shirt.
I can feel your puffs of breath.
I can feel your heart beating.
And when your heart beats, my heart beats faster.

Love you Honey.

Mom & Dad

74 thoughts on “Our hearts beat faster”

  8. Tears to my eyes as I just put my one year daughter down to sleep. Hope we do half as well as you all.

  11. Ha, you brought me back to my own time in the delivery room, a reminder of how precious the moment and even more so the life brought into the world. LOVE this!

  16. David, such heart warming words coming from your heart to your wonderful and courageous daughter. You do have a heart of gold. Joe and Olga.

  17. This is beautiful. You have expressed exactly how I feel about my daughter (only 8) and I am going to keep this for her and tell her this is how I feel. Thank you and congrats to your daughter Rachel!

  21. So sweet, proud Daddy! She’s beautiful, despite her forceps beginnings, and obviously extremely clever.

    My son looked like a prize-fighter when he was born, as his unsupervised birth was too fast and furious. If the midwife had been present, she might have told me to slow down and check my enthusiasm to bring him into the world. He’s a handsome young man now — all 6ft 4″ of him.

    1. Thanks Sarah. It astonishes me, the entire process, no matter how/where they start, most finish perfect and are wondrous miracles. And 6’4″, he’s a handsome giant…

  23. Thank you Dave! Congratulations Rachel!
    Dave, thank you for preparing us for the ride home in August. In process of reviewing all of your post before the time comes.😥💌

  24. A beautiful story. I can say I truly feel I can step into those parents shoes feeling the love and pride they have for their child.

  27. This was awesome Dave. Thanks for sharing and I hope all is well with you. I can believe your daughter is graduating college. Man, time does fly.

    B

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  29. Some things just can’t – and shouldn’t – be forgotten. Beautiful work – I’m sure your daughter will read it more than once herself! – J.

  32. So beautiful, so proud of and yes tears in my eyes too. Congratulations: This was one of the best post ever read. Thank you dear David, Blessing and Happiness, love, nia

  33. Great letter and post. VIntage post… I was belly laughing at your ET go home comparison.Congrats Rachel!

  34. Aahh, how lovely David, such a beautiful tribute for a loved daughter!♥ The song ‘Walking On Broken Glass’ I have teenage memories of that song, very different from your own, but it will make me think of this when I hear it now!! 🙂

  35. I know how it feels like to be a Dady’s girl. I felt every word and the love with which you have shared your feelings. She’s pretty & lucky to have you. 🙂

  36. Congratulations Rachel. What a blessed set of parents. Obviously you have a wonderful job of nuturing. The world needs more of that love that permiates from your circle of family and friends. Thank you for sharing David. It just seemed like yesterday that you were leaving home to go to college in the US. Thanks to your mom and dad we stay informed.
    Thinking of you with love.
    Nancy Vanjoff

    1. Hi Nancy. So good to hear from you. Thank you for the kind words. We are blessed with two wonderful children. Hope you and the family are doing well. Dave

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