Just a short story, about Crystal's longings I spose, lol.
Today is my daughter's birthday, she's 22 now!
And I suppose many know she lives in the States. She's married, studying.
That's kind of where my short story starts. Why I'm so effing proud of - and happy for - my daughter.

When she was about 4 - 5 yrs old she often told me:
- Mom, when I'm older, I'm going to join the FBI
- Sweetheart, you can't. You're not American.
- So? I'm still going to America and become an FBI agent
- Alright dear * mommy sighs. No more telly for this girl! *
Mommy did know, however, that her daughter in actual fact would go far from home when she was older. Sheer intuition. That's why I don't really have a problem with her being so far away, I've always known it would happen.
And she did ... she studying psychology & science, wants to become a profiler. Which was what she has wanted all her life.

This thing, wanting, longing to live in another country seems to run in the family, seems to be in our DNA. My dad wanted to emigrate to Australia when I was a little girl. Didn't work out, emigration stop for Europeans.
My mom has lived abroad with her 2nd husband for some 10 years. That's how I got to go abroad myself and got to spend half a year in Australia. And lost my heart there, to the country, mind you, not a man, lol.

I only got together with my ex hubby cos he'd been abroad as well, so he understood me. He'd grown up abroad, in some 10 different countries, incl the US and Australia.
My second partner was British. I just can't seem to be content and happy with a through and through Dutch man, nor in my own country. The longing to go away, to live in another country, is so strong still, that it hurts when I think about it. So I try not to. I just tuck it away in a mental drawer and put a padlock on it. Sometimes the padlock springs free though ..

Tomorrow it's my birthday, I'm going to be 49, and today, on my girl's birthday, thinking about what she's achieved, that frigging padlock got released. So I'm in pain. But happy at the same time that it did work out for my girl. At least she won't have to live with that lifelong effing chit pain of not being where you want to be.

She made it come true! Hopefully this stupid family thing with wanting to go abroad, stops with her. Hopefully she broke the cycle. I don't wish this upon anyone. The pain, the longing, can be excruciating, worse than a broken heart.

So I'm hot danged proud and happy for my girl. But I think I'm gonna cry a bit for me now. And try to get that frigging padlock back on ...

Happy birthday to you & to your daughter & don't give up hope you can make things happen...if you're really need Something so bad you can achieve it trust me...it all depends how bad you want it & how dedicated you are in achieving it....
Good luck to you

best wishes for you both

Happy Birthday to you, Crystal!!!

And happy for you and your daughter, her achieving what she set her mind on. It is only with this kind of mindset that she has done it, it would never have happened if you had needed to push her. Nothing like self achievement. Congrats & best wishes to you and her.

Happy birthday to you both and also well done. You have done a great job with her. Be proud.

I'm sure you taught her all she needed to know about independence, inner strength and love. Best Wishes to you both

Happy birthday to a happy mother and her daughter. Hope to read about your grand kids later. In other word, long life to you!

Happy Birthday to you and your daughter

it's tough this thing called parenting..you love them like crazy, wipe their runny noses, tuck them in a night and scare away the boogy man from under the bed..watch over them like a hawk, clap like crazy at every school play and baseball game and then before ya know it....taadaaah!!!

they are graduating and ready to go out and take on the world
there is a part of you that is busting your buttons you are so damn proud


but then there is that other mommy part
that would just like to have them back ..at about the age of two
just for a little while

Hush trish. Or you will ruin that tough as nails picture of yourself

Thank you everyone!

Crystal,
Happy birthday to you & your daughter.



* On one hand being a good mother & doing all you can to ensure your children have a successful future ; can hurt so much down the road & on the other hand bursting with pride... I know this feeling *

Happy blessed birthday to you and your daughter!

A VERY VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO A 'WONDERFUL MOTHER AND DAUGHTER'! MANY MANY HAPPY RETURNS OF THIS PROFOUNDLY LOVELY OCCASION!

Yes, indeed I did, not always the easy way though. God, did that girl have a mind of her own
when she was a teenager. So much so that we had a major falling out for a few years, she moved to her dad's.
I couldn't handle her anymore, did nothing she had to do, ended up in juvenile court 3-4 times as she
simply flatly refused to go to school. And not going to school is a criminal offense till you're 17 and 7 months old.
But not even the judge could get her to go to school, not even the threat of having to go to juvenile
prison for 2 weeks. She simply did not go to school. If that girl digs her heels in the sand ...

Her dad didn't give a toss, I did though, cos I always knew she would find her feet and would end up doing great.
A mother knows her child, doesn't she?!
So I found her a good lawyer and thanked the Lord for giving her kind judges that saw she would not budge,
no matter what and where easy on her. Once the judge wanted to send her to juvenile prison, but the prosecutor
didn't want that, so he ended up in dispute with the judge, lol.
The girl must have some pretty good guardian angels, haha.

In spite of all the shite (she put me through as well) I never ever stopped believing in her!
And it paid off, cos now that's she's a bit older, she respects me for what I've done for her,
even though at the time she was livid with me for letting her down (that's what she thought... teenage minds ...)

hahaha...ahem I was talking to another mommy

who I am as a person with friends
with family and especially with my children


may not exactly coincide with who I am or who I have to be on here
if someone comes across as a hard azz? usually has her reasons

to both of you; green with envy - I always wanted a little girl too - had my little boy but sure did want a little girl as well.

Thank you! I had the boy first, then the girl :)
Indeed a wish come true, as that was exactly what I had hoped for, in that order as well!
My girl has a big brother and my boy a little sister. I love that

Happy Birthday to your daughter and to you as well Crystal

I hope to read about your grandkids someday! And congratulations to your daughter for her achievements

Thank you very much!