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Kate’s Point Of View
When Alicia dove into my arms, I felt like someone handed me a billion dollars free and clear. My heart soared because the day’s emotions had affected me, too, albeit with far fewer grounds than our daughter.
Sierra was carrying a foal sired by my horse, the first I had ever allowed. I knew Beauty would protect his foal, but Jacob’s and Alicia’s horse would love her baby dearly. I felt bad for my stallion because he might get left out, but I was happy his bloodline would continue.
Our daughter reached for Jacob’s hand and pulled him into our hug, sobbing with heartfelt emotions.
“Take me outside quickly… please, Mom; I feel embarrassed.”
“Okay, sweetheart, let’s go. Ours was the last gift anyway, so everyone is diverting their attention to the next adventure.”
We maneuvered through the lodge in an amorphous mass hug, shuffling to the door while the other kids broke into groups, playing cards and games or preparing bean bags and sleeping bags to watch a movie.
I grabbed our coats on my way out through the lodge door and immediately shared them with Jacob and Alicia outside in the biting cold. Our daughter stamped her feet, clapped both hands, and slid mittens on, pointing at a nearby copse with a small trail running through it.
“Can we walk for a little bit, Mom?”
“Yes, otherwise we’ll freeze, but don’t forget there is at least one mountain lion nearby. While we walk, tell us what’s wrong, honey.”
“I feel too upset and need a time-out from everyone.”
“That’s normal. You have a birthday, a visit to your parents, all of your friends here, and now Sierra is pregnant with Beauty’s foal. It’s a lot to deal with, Alicia.”
“My mother gave birth to me today, eleven years ago.”
Alicia’s perspective struck me hard, and I saw that Jacob was also visibly moved. Our daughter’s birthday was also an incredibly poignant moment between a child and both parents, but especially a mother, because their ongoing relationship fundamentally changed when life outside the womb began.
“Your Mom and Dad would be proud, and them not being here today is bound to affect you deeply.”
“Is that why I want to cry?”
“I don’t know, but cry all you like, honey, and never let anyone tell you that’s wrong.”