Dana Marie.....Sunday's Child

Dana was born when I was sixteen years old. I had married her father when I was a month short of turning sixteen.
One month after her birth, I turned seventeen.

Dana was a happy baby. Living next door to her grandparents gave her a strong sense of family early on. She was a strawberry blonde, grey-blue eyed, fair skinned toddler.
Her "granny" kept her while we worked and she was always playing some new little game, or singing a cute little song she'd learned that day. I particularly remember this one

"Roses on my shoulders,
Slippers on my feet,
I'm daddy's darling,
Don't you think I'm sweet?"


Her favorite story was Cinderella, and I read it so many times that I knew it by heart. So did Dana.

She was the apple of many eyes, being the first child, first grandchild, and first great-grandchild. Despite our being so young, we feel we gave her a good start. Thanks to a lot of help, from a lot of people.




When Dana was eight years old, her father and I divorced. This broke Dana's heart. She loved her daddy and found it difficult that he wasn't around on a daily basis. Despite our best efforts, Dana began to feel that when with me, she couldn't mention her dad, and when with him, she couldn't mention me. At eight years old she had an allegience to each of us, but individually. This was too big of a load for an eight year old to carry, and Dana became a worrier.

It was important to her to please both me and her father. This was difficult for her as this was two seperate households with two different sets of rules.

When I met Dana's stepfather, she was heartbroken, as she realized that there was no chance for a reconciliation between her father and me. I knew she was hurt, but I had to get on with my life, and was sure she would come to accept this new man in our lives.




After I remarried, Dana and Les had good times and bad. They argued constantly and at times, I felt as if I were a referee, and in the middle of the war zone. Looking back, I wish I had been more supportive of her, especially when I knew she was right. There were times I didn't and I now can only say to her I'm sorry. I began to wonder if it would work out with our family, and if the two of them would ever develope any kind of rapport.

When Dana became a teenager, she seemed to grow up over night. She was mentally and emotionally way beyond her age. She came to view Les as her friend for the most part, and they laughed and talked a lot about his teenage years. I began to think it might work out after all.




During her sophomore year in high school, Dana met Casey. I knew they were meant for each other from the beginning. If they rented movies to watch at our house, they would fall asleep like two little old people. They had a "comfortableness" about them that usually took a lot longer. Dana drove twenty miles to school every day, came home and worked a part time job in the evenings. She had grown into a young woman any mother would be proud to have as a daughter.

I honestly don't remember what it was about, but Dana and Les and I had a horrible argument that led to Dana's moving to her father's house. I was devastated. I felt as if she had abandoned me. I wasn't sure what would happen to her, or me. I worried about her constantly and wished she'd return.




Two weeks after Dana moved, she and Casey came for Sunday dinner. Within minutes of arriving, they shocked us with the news that they had gotten married the day before. I was speechless. Her father had signed for them to marry. I was saddened that she had missed out on the wedding every young woman dreams of. I was sorry that they had felt they couldn't share this time with their families. I knew it wasn't really their fault either.

Because there was no formal wedding, Les and I hosted a reception for the two of them about three weeks later.
I met Casey's family and liked them all immediatly. They seemed to love Dana as we did Casey. Although getting married so young is a hard road to choose, I felt they had enough family support, and that we would all be fine. We considered Casey one of our children and loved him dearly.




It is now seven years later. Just as expected Dana and Casey have done well. They have two beautiful daughters, Katie and Sarah. Katie is now five years old, and Sarah is two. They are buying their home, working hard to live their dreams.
They are both devoted, nurturing parents, and are raising their daughters with high morals and standards. They've made us all proud.

I love you Dana, my first born child, Momma







HOME


See Their Family

On to Lacy's

Email: pamnles@webtv.net