March 19th, 1999

Her first cry pierced the earth

Marking her place in the world

Her mother’s tears flowed freely

July 22nd, 1999

Her first laugh, unique and her own

Sweet and tinkling like precious crystals

The desperate need to freeze time

And watch that moment over and over

May 9th, 2000

When she first babbled the word “mama”

Her mother’s hugs and kisses and “I love you”s

Flowing unconditionally

Gathering and storing in her brain

September 19th, 2000

When she took her first steps

Imprinting her footsteps on Earth’s dirt

The camera clicking and rolling

Memories preserved in a tiny box

December 20th, 2003

“The.. cat… in.. the.. hat?”

Her mother smiles, encouragingly

“Good job! What’s this?”

“Green… eggs.. and.. ham?”

“Yay! High five!”

September 23rd, 2004

Her mother brushes her ginger locks

“Your first day of school! Are you excited?”

She practically jumps out of her seat

“Yeah!!!”

“Ok! Have fun! Love you!”

Her mother kisses her head, tears in her eyes

She jumps out of the car

“Love you, too!”

And her mother watches her Hello Kitty backpack disappear in the crowd

May 21st, 2017

“Emelia Hayes!”

“University of Washington!”

She climbs on stage, grinning wildly

Her mother cries as she gets handed her diploma

Her first job

Her first apartment

Her first wedding

Her first baby

And the cycle starts all over again