When you Were Born

When you were born,

I was your age - in the 8th grade

When you were born,

I worried about boys

and friendships

and AOL instant messenger screen names.

When you were born,

I spent my days doing homework

and watching full house

and playing softball.

When you were born,

I didn't know you existed

I didn't know your name

I didn't hear your cry.

When you were born,

I didn't get to hold you in my arms

or sweetly kiss your forehead

or wake up in the night to feed you.

When you were born,

I didn't know I'd be your mom.

Is it crazy

that we both lived entire lives

before living this one?

To think that

the pain

and the loss

brought us here --

-- together

Two seemingly un-together souls

joyfully joined together

because of affliction.

You are my daughter,

but I didn't know it

when you were born.