My Greatest Gift

On By Michele LeeIn Inspirational People, nature, Verse
I dreamed you before I met you.
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 Delivers
Born 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

116 thoughts on “My Greatest Gift”

  5. 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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    1. 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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  8. 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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    1. 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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      1. 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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      3. 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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      4. 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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      5. 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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      6. 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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      7. 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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      8. 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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      9. 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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    1. 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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      1. 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!!

        Liked by 1 person

      2. 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!

        Liked by 1 person

      3. 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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      4. 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. 😘

        Liked by 1 person

  11. 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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      2. 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. ✨

        Liked by 1 person

    1. 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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      2. 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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  27. 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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    1. 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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    1. 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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  34. 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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