Annabel too ...

My finger has been hovering over the 'publish' button for what seems an age ... but Thriftwood is about me, how I feel, and what is happening in my life ... a journal for me to delve back into, and to remember ....

The 'About Me' on my sidebar tells you that I am a mother of five wonderful children, but perhaps you may have noticed that only four of them are ever mentioned?

Today is our darling girl's 18th birthday ... a bittersweet day - there will be no champagne, no pink birthday cake, no new dress or party ... there will be no excitement, no friends and family dropping in with cards and presents ... no celebrations.

Our first daughter was born 18 years ago ... after a textbook pregnancy, she arrived quickly, 2 days past her due date, weighing 9lbs 2oz, with a head of dark curls and rosebud lips... perfect in every way, but she had already left us.

Although with us for such a short time, she taught me so much ... we already had three gorgeous boys, and although I know that everyone thought I was hoping for a girl, I really didn't mind. I had always wanted four children, and it didn't matter one bit whether they were pink or blue.  I didn't know I was having a girl, that part just wasn't important. She taught me to never take anything for granted again, she taught me for a while to be patient, the little trivialities in life just weren't important any more, and she taught me to be so thankful for what I have, as all too quickly it can disappear.

The following year my beautiful second daughter Millie was born.

So today, there will be no champagne, no pink birthday cake, no new dress or party ... there will be no excitement, no friends and family dropping in with cards and presents, but in my heart I will be celebrating that my precious Annabel was once a part of me ...

Love, Claire xxx