This month, I have a book out called IF THE RED SLIPPER FITS. A good portion of the book has to deal not just with shoes (which I love!) but also family relationships. Sisters and their father, a son and his mother. With my oldest child’s birthday approaching, the book and the season got me thinking about our relationship.

I love fall, almost as much as I love spring. Partly because my eldest was born in fall, and so every year I get to take a moment and give thanks for the blessing she has been in my life. She’ll be seventeen this September, and to me, it seems as if she was just born.

I’ve watched her go from singing the “Winnie the Pooh” theme song to belting out indie rock songs with her band. I’ve seen her go from being a cleanliness obsessed toddler to a typically messy teenager. I’ve seen her go from being strapped into a car seat to sitting behind the wheel of her own car.

Every year has been both bittersweet and joyful. Bittersweet, because as the years pass, I realize she’s getting older and will soon be leaving to live her own life. Joyful because every age has had its own moments of laughter and fun. I thought I’d love the toddler age the best with all its moments of discovery and late-night cuddles. Then she moved into the school age years and I realized I loved those just as much. Each year, we’d have more and more interesting conversations and I could see her developing her own thoughts and opinions about the world.

Now as she becomes a young woman, I find I am immensely proud of the person she has turned out to be. She is a beautiful girl, not just on the outside, but inside. A true friend, one who loves and loves deeply, and one who is strong and loyal. She’s the one whose shoulders everyone relies on, and the one whose heart breaks when a friend is hurt.

She’s also a wonderful friend to me. We’ve found a lot of common ground over the years—shopping, movies, TV shows, Broadway musicals—and I try to find as many occasions as possible to indulge in those things with her. For each of my kids, I have a special “Mom and Kid” day, where just that one kid gets all my attention for the entire day, and we plan a full roster of activities we both enjoy. When my daughter goes off to college next fall, I know it’ll be hard to keep up that tradition, but I hope she has as many wonderful memories of those days as I do.

Next fall will be bittersweet as I move her into a dorm, and say goodbye. But this fall, I am celebrating the wonder of this amazing child, and all she has taught me about how to be a better person and a better mom. So, happy birthday, baby. I’ve celebrated every day you’ve been in my life. You are my heart, and I love you more than I ever thought I could love anyone.

Shirley will be giving away a copy of IF THE RED SLIPPER FITS to someone makes a blog comment.

www.shirleyjump.com