
I loved you before I held you.
Before I heard your heartbeat for the first time,
before I felt your tiny legs flutter across my belly,
and before I first looked into your artist’s eyes,
your life gave mine a grander purpose,
and an overwhelming desire to become
the strongest and healthiest version of myself,
because, with your miraculous arrival,
I had been given the greatest gift
and the most cherished role
my hands, mind, and heart will ever know –
loving and guiding your artist’s soul.
Happy Birthday to my daughter, Sammi Lee
My first repost is a special one ~ sharing my poem, “Autumn Delivers,” that I wrote and published last October, just after visiting Sammi and her boyfriend in Oregon. My time in Oregon was memorable and magical for many reasons.
Autumn DeliversBorn during a season
when the heat rescinds
cascading and tumbling
surrendering and delivering
coolness and transition
an occasion to draw in
an occasion to reflect
autumn’s mood and palette
suits you, introspective one
more so than the unfettered months
that worship a spellbinding sun
Almost your fate
arriving on a premature date
when the searing sun’s intent
did dominate, wilt, and fade
within its overextended stretch
your protective life-container
your nourishing life-sustainer
was unable to escape the sun’s apex
under which she drew her first breath
You and I, temporarily one
not meant to both arrive
during the season of the sun
You and I, eager to be free
You and I, becoming one heartbeat
You and I, forced to retreat
You and I, delaying our first greet
Our stillness triumphant
postponing what could have been
a fragile arrival, a mismatched season
instead you inhaled the scent of autumn
you and she a perfect complement
Your eyes reveal her changing hues
Your voice blends with her gentle whispers
Your pace moves like her tumbling leaves
Your hands create like her vibrant displays
into her soft light you were meant to step
wrapped around you, she does protect
Until we embrace again –
the one layered with warm rays,
offering wisdom and sage,
will continue to love and pray
for the one delivered on
a golden autumn day


To see more beautiful photos taken on or near the University of Oregon campus, please visit my original “Autumn Delivers” post. A special thank you to my husband for making me a mom and for showing Little Miss S a father’s love. I could not have done it without him! 😁 Thank you for joining me on this memorable date. I would be most honored if you would visit Sammi Lee’s Mintaka Collection. She is an incredible artist and entrepreneur, and she is having a birthday sale! Enjoy life. Be well. 💗 Michele
Photo 1: Sammi Lee, 2021 U of O graduation; she earned a bachelor’s in Art and Technology Photo 2 & 3: Sam’s 3rd birthday Photo 4: fall colors, U of O campus Photo 5: me and Calypso, just before I flew home (’20)
A song dedication to my little star and to all the little stars out there. Keep shining your light! 🌟
© 2021 Michele Lee Sefton
Beautifully expression of emotions.
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Thank you so much. 💐 As a mom you know how beautiful and emotional these days can be. 💗
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I know and I truly feel these emotions. Loved it. ❣️🌷
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🥰
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This is a lovely tribute to Sammi Lee. Happy Birthday to Sammi!
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Thank you, kind Brad. So wonderful of you to write. 🥰
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😎
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Happi Birthday Sammi Lee. Beautiful poems. Calypso looks like a cuddly kitty.
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Thank you for taking the time to send birthday wishes. Thanks, Timothy – I was in photo heaven! Yes, she is a cuddly one. 😸
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Timothy, I just realized you wrote “poems” not photos. My apologies. I was an emotional mom this morning. 🤪
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All the same. The poems create images in ones mind. Photographs in words.
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You’re good! Thank you for turning my distraction into a lovely statement about the power of poems. Poems and photos – two things that enrich this life. 💕
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Happy Birthday, Sammi Lee! Love and joy to you both!!
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Thank you and love to you too. See you soon on Zoom! 😜
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Beautiful heartfelt poetry, Michele. Each word brimming with love, undoubtedly echoed by a daughter appreciative of her caring, very thoughtful and loving mother. 🙏 Have a great day, my friend, and Happy Birthday Sammi Lee!!! So grand the moment, on that “golden autumn day”. So precious the love, guiding your star on her way. 🌟💞
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Thank you, Phil. 🙏🏼 I am most appreciative of your thoughtful words on this beautiful and reflective birthday day. 🎂 💖
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🤯 Oh No! Sweetness Overload! 🤯
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haha In more ways than one! My sweet heart is on overload too. 😆 A grand capacity for love also brings a grand range of emotions. I suppose writing poetry helps us process some of that sugar. 😉 Thank you, David. 💖
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What a wonderful post! Happy Birthday Sammi Lee!
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Thank you, Nico, for showing your support and sharing some birthday wishes! ❣ 🍰
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Yay!! Blessings. 🙂
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Have a Happy Birthday Sammi Lee! 🥳🌟🎂⭐️💐🎈🎁 I feel like I know you because of that proud momma of yours! 🥰 Oh Michele how beautiful. This is so touching and compassionate and loving. I absolutely love both of your poems and tis the season to celebrate the birth of a miracle and a precious gift so great and blessed. Sammi has your infectious smile Michele. 😊 🙂 😉
I’m sure you were shedding some tears as you wrote this post because I sure did reading it! 😢 😥 😭 May you both have a FANtabulous day of fun, celebrating, and…oh what did I forget??? Oh yeah, DANCING!!! 💃🏻💃🏻💃🏻
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Thank you so much for your heartfelt comments, Kym. 😍 I will be sure to have Sammi read these adoring comments later. 🥰 It is quite amazing, watching children grow into who they are meant to be, including watching beautiful smiles evolve through the years. Thank you. 💖
You are right about that… just a few tears shed this morning as I reflected on the significance of this day, of becoming a mom, when I wrote this post. 😭 😄 You are an absolute gem who gets me. 😆 It has been a busy day, but I won’t let it end without dancing, my dear. Please do the same! 🤗👯♀️🎶🍰 🎉
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Sugar pie honey bunch, you don’t have to tell me twice… 🎵 💃🏽 🎶 🕺🏽 🎧 So glad to hear that you had an awesome day. What beautiful reflections your memories inbued, past and present! What a great mom you are Michele! 👏🏼 🤰🏻 🤱🏻👩🏻🍼 🥰 👨👩👧 Hugs and smooches!!! 🤗 😘 🤩
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I bow to your beauty and brains, Emoji Queen. A life story in emojis. Impressive! 😂
Thank you. 🤗 😘 🤩
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Oh honey, like I told you before, find out who you would send your suggestions for new emoji’s that would be actually “usable.” 😜 But yeah girl, that Sammi is your Greatest Love of All (channeling my inner Whitney Houston or George Benson). 💖 💘 💝 I adore how much you are grateful for your blessed gift…a mini me! 😊
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I will get right on it! 🏃🏼♀️ You must have a secret emoji vault. You share things I have never seen, or haven’t thought of. I have 10 go-to emojis. I haven’t advanced to the next emoji level, I guess. 😂 Oh, yeah! Sing it!! GB, yes!! It has been awhile, but I once knew and loved doing a routine to “All that Jazz” – 💓 Thank you. I came into this world ready to be a mom – strong maternal genes from a very young age, however, I wasn’t so sure about the married part of the arrangement. 😂 Joking aside, I am very blessed. 🙏🏼 Do you have kids?
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Well you’re a great mom Michele. 👏🏼Unfortunately, I never had children, although I wanted to. But God had other plans and I gradually came to terms with that. 🙏🏼 However, I live vicariously through my friend’s kids and grands in some cases. My husband has grands so it’s all good. 😊 So sweetie pie, I share in your excitement and gratitude for a gift so great! 🎁
Now, about those emojis, I randomly look for something to express my sentiments, so trust me, I accidentally find those that I use! 😜 I have my trusty soldiers, but I love the quirky ones too! 🧐 Well, I suppose I need to turn off my music 🎧 and grab me a cup of tea! ☕️ It’s my cool down time!!! LOL 🥶
Have a FANtabulous evening my dear!!! Smooches!!! 😘 💋 😘
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Of course, that is the greatest compliment you can give me. 🥰 I am proud of the woman she has become and she continues to be one of my greatest teachers, especially being the old soul that she is. 💓 Thank you and thanks for sharing your journey. At times, I have longed for more children, but there were factors that went into having only one. I am at peace with that decision. I pray she is too. Especially as she gets older. 🙏🏼
I need to take a class on emojis. Seriously. 😂 Hope you’re having an enjoyable Friday that rolls into a stupendous Saturday! 🌞 😘
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Michele, you are always such a breath of fresh air! 🌬 Thanks so much for sharing your beautiful gift of life with us. It shows us through your humility what the expression of love looks like, without coaxing or only resorting to showing it on a special occasion! 💖 💘 💝 You have a beautiful spirit that I adore and I want you to always hold on to and speak your truth girlfriend!!! You rock!!!
Now, go on out there and make this a FANtabulous weekend! 💐 Knowing you, you will! 💃🏼 🦋 ✨ 🥂
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Oh, Kym, you bring happy tears to my eyes and a song to my heart. Thank you. 💖 It’s going to be a busy one, but Sunday should offer some time to relax. 🌤 You are closer to the weekend than me. 😉 Set the pace, make it a good one! 💃🏽 👠 📘 🛁🥂
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Honey Michele, you know I have taken a nosedive into my weekend wonders. I’m hanging loose girlfriend and I know that you are too! 😝 🤩 😜 Whooo-hooooo. Big hugs and smooches DAWLINK! 🤗 💋 😘
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The loveliest poem ever written, Michele! It brings so much joy and warmth to me as I read it!🥳💕 I loved all the pics, both of you look adorable roses🌸💗🥰
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Ahhh, just you stopping by for a visit warms my heart, Miss Annabel, then you share your words and my heart sings. 💓 Thank you so much for reading and enjoying my poem. A special write. ✍🏼 🥰 I hope your luggage found you and that you are settling in to your new city. 🏙 🩰 🌹 🤗
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Most welcome, dear Michele. A pleasure indeed! 💕 thank you for sharing this very special poem with so much care and love ❤️!
My luggages are on their way back to me🥳 and thank you for the thoughtful wishes. I am settling down and hoping the peaceful pace of life soon be restored 💗🥳! Send hugs!!
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My pleasure, even through a few tears. 😊 Thank you! 💐 My goodness, are they delivering it on horseback?! Moving is stressful. One day at a time, you will get there, then it will be time to move again. 🤪 Hugs to you too!
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That was a humorous and very precise metaphor, Michele 💕😃👍! It does feel like they are delivering on horseback😬😄..
Thank YOU and I will take your words’ one day at a time’🥰🤗. Have a wonderful rest of your week and see you again in your next poem❤️🍹🏝!!
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Horseback or a merry-go-round! 😆 Joking aside, I hope the issue is resolved soon. 🤞🏼 Thank you, it has been a busy week. I love that… au revoir, until our poems once again bring us together. 😘
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Loved your sense of humor😃💗! Thank You, Michele! Chat again soon 🌸🥳
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Laughter is another gift. 😄 Chat soon.
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Happy birthday Sammi ❤️
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So very kind! Thank you, Ananda. Best to you and yours. 💝
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Lovely photos. Heartwarming poetry. Adored it. Precious. Happy birthday to your baby: the only person who’s heard what your heartbeat sounds like from the inside. Precious.
Happy birthday.
I have a little boy-young man who has a birthday coming up. Lovely season. My fave.
Thanks for sharing, Michele. 💕
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Absolutely beautiful words and perspective. Thank you, Selma. 💝 Happy Birthday to your little man. 🎂 Thanks for the visit and enjoy the season. 🍂
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Thaaaaanks 💖 He and I and your daughter share a month so double triple yay. thanks. There will be cake this month. 😜 Be well. I wish you miracles
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My pleasure. And my daughter’s boyfriend, so that makes it even four! 🥳 Enjoy every delicious bite. 🎂 October is a wonderful month to have parties in the park in the SW – a treat when she was a kiddo. 🌞 What a beautiful comment. I graciously accept. Thank you and same to you. ✨
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I have a daughter who is now a Mother herself. I love your poems about the feelings of being a Mum to a girl. Really a lovely post Michele.
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Doubly blessed, you are, Anne. Probably more so. 😊 My daughter has two cats. Only one will let me hold it. 😆 I so appreciate your visit and the sentiment you have shared. Thank you. 💗
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My daughter is 34 and has a son turning 7 thi weekend! Prior to having a child she had also had two cats!
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Happy early birthday to your grandson. Enjoy! I suppose pets are great practice. Much easier, but good practice, nonetheless. 😄
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So beautiful!!!
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Becoming a mom is a beautiful gift. 💖 Thank you for your visit and support. 💐
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You’re welcome!!!
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Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! I adore everything about this post. The intro is so heart warming, and the poem is sublime! Happy Birthday, Sammi Lee! 🔥🎂 Well done, Michele. ❤️🥰
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TY, TY, TY! 😁 Thanks for being a sweetheart – this was an emotional write for me this morning. Sometimes the emotions pour out when the words do. More gifts. 💓 I appreciate you and your birthday wishes. 🥰
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Most welcome, always! 🥰❤️ I’m sure it was, and indeed emotions do. Gifts for sure. Thank you; as I appreciate you. Have a beautiful evening. ❤️
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So lovely photos and best written poem 👌🏼🌹🙏🏼 Happy Birthday Grace Wishes 💐🎂🎊🎉
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Photos that made me tear up. You understand. 😊 Your comment about my poem is very generous, but thank you and thank you for sending birthday wishes. 💗 Best to you and your family.
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Thank you for this lovely comment message 🌷🙏♥️
Grace wishes to you dear and your Family same 👏💕💐
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🙏🏼
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🌷💕🌷
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A gorgeous poem; so much love snd truth. Nurturing like the mother that you are.
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Love and truth. Two words that hold great essence for a life well-lived. 💗 Thank you, Rebecca. Your words are greatly appreciated. 🙏🏼
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Two ways you express yourself well in the world.
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How beautiful. Thank you. 🙏🏼
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She holds her, the love embraces her. Every breath, taken from her. Her soul, knows her. Her heart, feels her. Feels, a mother’s love! Happy birthday, to Sammi. A lovely share! Blessings!
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Oh, my. 🥰 I will carry your poetic melody with me. Thank you so much for sharing your stunning words and birthday wishes. 🙏🏼 Blessings to you too. 💐
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You’re welcome!🙏🏽
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This is just beautiful. Children are truly divine. How well you’ve written
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How gracious you are. Yes, life truly is. ✨ Thank you very much. 🙏🏼
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Wishes Galore to Sammi Lee on her Birthday and for an amazing year ahead!! Your post is so heart touching beautiful, the poetry so wonderful – very precious throughout! :)))
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Thank you, Pragalbha. So nice of you to share your generous wishes and gracious support. 🙏🏼 I hope you had a relaxing and joyful month with your family. 💐
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You are very welcome. It was a month of good busyness 🙂
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Very good news! Thank you for the visit, nice to see you. 😃
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Beautiful poem! Lovely pics and happy birthday to your daughter Sammi! Have a great year ahead!
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How considerate. 🌻 Thank you, Jyothi. 🙏🏼 Best to you and yours!
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Beautiful birthday poem for your daughter, truly exquisite. Both poems are heart warming. The birthday poem caught my heart – especially ‘ I dreamt you before…’ , what a lovely image.
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What lovely comments. 🥰 I really did dream about her before she arrived. So special! Thank you very much. 💐
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I know, your words clearly reflected that you Sammi has been in your life long before she was born. So Very Special and beautiful. They do say the Soul – Child choose its parents. We are linked together by Karma.
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You are very observant and perceptive. Wonderful. 💖 I thought about this idea a few weeks ago when I wrote my piece, “Prickly Conversations,” which is about being raised in the place that offers us what we need. I extended that idea by thinking about being with the parents we most need to be with, but that section did not make the final draft. So fascinating though. Thank you. 🙏🏼
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Sammi’s website is amazing as is her work.
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I so appreciate you taking the time to look at her website – her work. I am biased, of course, but her creativity and talent is awe-inspiring. ✨ You are a gem!
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Sammi’s work is awe inspiring and I really like a lot of her work. Stunning.
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I will be sure to pass along your support. Thank you so much! ✨
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Happy birthday to your daughter! She is amazing artist ✨🎉 Congratulations for your beautiful poem & photos.💖
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Thank you, VG, for your positivity here, and thanks for checking out Sammi’s art. I am truly appreciative, as I know she would be. 💗 I do agree with you, of course! 😄
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Reblogged this on The Reluctant Poet.
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Thank you for sharing this special post. 🙏🏼 💐
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Beautiful poem, what a gift for your daughter too, Happy birthday to your little star.
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So kind of you. 🌞 Thank you and thanks for sending her birthday wishes. 🌟 She is now at the age where she appreciates my words of affection. 🥰
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There’s something so special about that mother and daughter bond. 😊
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Thank you. I believe so. 💕 I am so grateful to be close to by my daughter, not in miles, but in heart and spirit.
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😊👍
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This is a most beautiful tribute to your beautiful daughter Michele. I remember the one from last year. Our children are our greatest gift. They bring out the best in us. I love the story within your words.
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My heart is full. Thank you, Dwight. Beautiful comments. 🥰 What a great memory you have! I barely remember what I wrote last week. 😂 Children truly are. Full disclosure, her teenage years did not bring out the best in me, but I suppose those years strengthened my patience and resolve and we survived and have a loving and respectful relationship now! 🙏🏼
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Life is a progressive journey! You seem to be doing fine! … and so does she….
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A beautiful one at that. ✨ Thank you. We are blessed. 💖 You too! 🙏🏼
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Yes!
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That was so beautiful, Michele. Love the photos and reminded me of my own mother… ❤️❤️❤️🤗🌹🙏
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I am deeply touched. Thank you, Diana. 🥰 💐 ❤ Be sure to give your mom a hug for me. 🤗
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What a wonderful article, Michele! I love the story within your words and I admire your talent for expressing emotions in sensitive words.
I love the photos! ❤️
Michele, I wish you all the best!
Rosie from germany
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Thank you for reading my poems and enjoying the photos. This was a special post for me that brought my emotions to the surface. 💖 The very best to you too, Artist Rosie from Germany. 💐
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💖
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What a heartfelt message and poem to your beautiful daughter Michele. She sounds just as talented as you.. I’ll go check her site and good luck to her. What a wonderful gift of you both share.
💖
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How beautiful. 🥰 Thank you, Cindy and I am most appreciative that you are taking the time to check out her site. I know Sammi will be grateful too. She is a talented one! It is my honor to share. Thank you for being here. 🙏🏼
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You’re most welcome Michele. It was so touching and her site is beautiful. It’s so wonderful to see our kids thriving which is our deepest joy. Awwww, you’re so welcome!💖
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Sweet, touching words of love, Michele.
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Thank you, Mitch. I really appreciate your comment. 💗
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Aw this is so sweet!
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Thank you so much, Belladonna. 😊 My mom heart was gushing that morning and the tears were flowing. I am grateful for all of it and for her, of course. 💓
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Love it!
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I have four children and five grandchildren. Each one a gem to my heart. Wonderful poetry shared dear Michele.
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I know from your writing and IG posts how much you adore your family. Beautiful. 🥰 Thank you so much.
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You are welcome dear Michele.
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Our babies are always our babies, even when we go visit them and their babies in other houses, other worlds. They grow up so fast — it really is heartbreaking, yet a wonderful breaking that allows you to let them go and create lives and memories of their own. And, if you are lucky, the love comes back to you in the form of grandbabies. And you thought your heart couldn’t be fuller ….
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How true and beautiful. A constant letting go. Such is life and a wonderful life it is. 💝 Thank you so much for your loving words. 🙏
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Happy Birthday Sammi ! Beautiful words indeed! We do love our children don’t we?
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Thank you so much, from me and on her behalf. 💞 Absolutely, yes! 🙏🏻 Have a wonderful week.
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