A written tribute to the niece, on her birthday
On this day eleven years ago, I entered the nursery of MacNeal Hospital in Berwyn, ready to lay eyes on my niece for the very first time. I will never forget that moment. One of my sister's little teenage friends trailed behind me, directing me toward the viewing window closest to her bassinet.
I seem to remember the little crib having a little white placard on its edge, with the name Seay hand-scrawled on it in blue ink. It's possible this was not there, and it's just my imagination filling in an extra detail.
One thing I know I definitely saw, though, was the completely bald, round-faced little girl sleeping on her back, eyes closed, and one arm stretched out to her side, completely relaxed. She was the spitting image of the newborn photo of her mother that had hung on the wall of the house we grew up in for many years.
Something seized me in that moment, and I remember standing there, speechless, feeling utterly captivated by this tiny miracle.
Behind me, Becky's little friend remarked, "You're falling in love with her." And though I rather resented her breaking the silence of that magic moment, I knew that she was absolutely right.
Today, that baby is now a young girl, almost as tall as me. She's spending her birthday with her mother, naturally. But tomorrow I get to play auntie, and my gift to her will be a day at the Berwyn Eagles Club, taking in an afternoon of women's wrestling at Shimmer. It will be her first time seeing women in the ring who aren't WWE Divas, and I'm hoping it will inspire her, and help her see that strong, badass women come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes.
In the meantime, Happy 11th Birthday, Melanie! Here's to our upcoming day of geekery!
I seem to remember the little crib having a little white placard on its edge, with the name Seay hand-scrawled on it in blue ink. It's possible this was not there, and it's just my imagination filling in an extra detail.
One thing I know I definitely saw, though, was the completely bald, round-faced little girl sleeping on her back, eyes closed, and one arm stretched out to her side, completely relaxed. She was the spitting image of the newborn photo of her mother that had hung on the wall of the house we grew up in for many years.
Something seized me in that moment, and I remember standing there, speechless, feeling utterly captivated by this tiny miracle.
Behind me, Becky's little friend remarked, "You're falling in love with her." And though I rather resented her breaking the silence of that magic moment, I knew that she was absolutely right.
Today, that baby is now a young girl, almost as tall as me. She's spending her birthday with her mother, naturally. But tomorrow I get to play auntie, and my gift to her will be a day at the Berwyn Eagles Club, taking in an afternoon of women's wrestling at Shimmer. It will be her first time seeing women in the ring who aren't WWE Divas, and I'm hoping it will inspire her, and help her see that strong, badass women come in many different colors, shapes, and sizes.
In the meantime, Happy 11th Birthday, Melanie! Here's to our upcoming day of geekery!