I should have been a January baby but I couldn’t wait to meet the
humans assigned to me that I found my way out at the end of October.
But no one was ready for me in October. And my poor mother, who’d lost her
first baby– my big sister– after a similar premature birth, was sent home with the
eye-peeling words, “She won’t make it.” It was 1962.
But my mother believed in miracles and fought the urge to accept the good
doctors’ predicament. She kept hope alive, trusted her gut, believed in the goodness
of the little bundle she took home and spent every waking moment in the pursuit of
proving the doctors wrong.
And by God, she succeeded!
How’s that for collateral?
(That year, Mom came to make me a birthday cake with 35 candles)
***
At every birthday, my mother would tell me how much she appreciated the miracle
that I was and how glad she was to prove those doctors wrong. I cherished her words
and grew up believing that I was a miracle and how lucky I was to be one.
(Taken days after I heard the words for the last time).
My mother was no angel, but she gave birth to a miracle and reminded me of that every year, guiding me the best way she knew how. Under her guardianship, I learned to feel the pulse of the earth under my feet and discern miracles in everything.
And everyone, so please accept the words and the wish I wish for you.
Be advised, though, that it is you who generates those miracles, not I, as I’m merely the one who’s reminding you that miracles are for real– as real as a breath of fresh air that you cannot see.
My dear mother resides in heaven now, and as I near another birthday, I hear the lovely words again.
This is enough to take my breath away.
On my special day, which comes on October 29th, I get to make a wish, and that wish will be the same one I wish you every time you visit me here: I wish you miracles.
Hear it often enough, and you too will start to see the miracle that you are. You are
collateral wonder.
This personal piece is written for Earthweal where they’re talking about collateral beauty, defined as those moments of awe when we realize our profound connection to everything.
Your challenge: As you walk through the hours this week, be alert for those moments of collateral beauty. It can be a moment experienced in nature, or a shining example of human resonance, as in the poems above. It can be as small as morning dew on a spider web in the garden, or as large as a mountain turning purple at twilight. Take note of that unexpected indrawn breath, eyes widened in wonder, heart opened and warmed by what is being witnessed. Then write your poem. Take our breath away. I am especially looking forward to your responses to this challenge.
Every year around this time I feel more connected to everything. Today I’ve said
plenty and this might be off prompt as it is, but here’s my short poem. I hope
something resonates.
Mother in heaven I hear your laugh in tail-end Echoes of my own *** © 2021 selmamartin.com
Thanks for reading. I wish you miracles.
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This is extremely touching. I feel a lump on my throat reading this. I’m so so glad your mother was a believer of miracles. She seems like an amazing human and I’m sure she’s in peace now, watching her miracle turn another year older. Advanced happy birthday! (Hope it’s not a taboo to say that as some people consider it to be. I meant it well). Let’s keep making miracles happen in this world with our prayers and wishes… 💕🙏🤍
Aww, Sam. You are the sweetest.
I love your advanced birthday greeting. Love it. Not taboo where I come from. I accept it graciously.
My mother was a fine woman. And I’m happy she’s where she is now. I do not want to imagine her here in this time of COVID. I’d worry too much.
God takes the best. And at the right time.
Thanks for pouring your sweetness on me. Love it. I will continue wishing miracles to everyone.
Be well, Sam. I wish you miracles.
Beautiful, touching, heartfelt, post. Loved it, Selma. I loved seeing the pictures of your mom, thanks for sharing, I am wishing that your miracle wishes come true on your birthday in a few weeks.💕
Thanks, my sweet. I know you just had one recently. And an anniversary too. (Do I remember correctly!?) I think so.
I wish you miracles.
You are so welcome. I did have both recently. Thank you so very much, Selma. I truly appreciate your kind wishes.💕
Selma, October borns are special and so are you! Your mom bestowed a miracle on earth and that miracle keeps spreading miracles! Happy Birthday in advance, stay blessed. 💞
Aww. Yes. She did.
Aww. Yes, you’re sweet.
Thank you.
You are welcome, dear.
Selma, thanks for sharing your miracle story. Knowing the source of your miracle wishes makes them even more special and meaningful. We don’t always consider the miracle that is our life. Thank you for being you, sharing your wisdom, and a fistful of miracles back to you.
Aww, you made me teary-eyed. Thanks, my friend. Glad I could share this with you.
Kathryn, I wish you miracles.
I just love this Selma! ‘miracles are for real– as real as a breath of fresh air that you cannot see. ‘ What a wonderful thing to remember, and how wonderful for the miracle of your life, your mother, and all of our lives. I love your haiku ❤️
Miracles are for real. I know it and I know you know it too. Thanks for reading and commenting, dear Ingrid. we are all walking miracles. Reason to celebrate. Be well, dear one, I wish you miracles.
Even this message is a miracle! ❤️
Thank you so much Selma for sharing such an inspiring and beautiful story. I was touched ❤
Thank you for sharing your collateral beauty. I do believe in miracles and you are living proof. Thank you for the wish and I hope your birthday is amazing.
You too– I love hearing that. We’re all walking miracles just as we are. Here I am. Here you are. I’m looking forward to a great month and an amazing day. Yes. Thanks for the wish. I appreciate you and wish you miracles.
Bernie, my sweets. Thanks for reading and commenting. So glad to hear this one touched you. All of us are miracles: our truth. Be well dear one. I wish you miracles.
I enjoyed reading this so much. Your story is beautiful. Thank you for wishing me miracles. I love that you are one and that you are so sensitive and caring. May you experience many more miracles and may you have a joyfull birthday.
Hey, Myrna. What joy to hear you say that. And remember that you too are a miracle. Thanks for reading and glad you were moved to leave me a comment. I just love this. You lit me up. Thank you. My birth day will be joyous. And my wish for you is more miracles. xo
How lovely this story is. (I love the photo of your mom in the cat ears. Smiles.) How wonderful to grow up being told you are a miracle. As is every child, but not all of them get to hear how special they are like you did. I absolutely loved this post. So glad you stopped by earthweal and shared the joy with us.
Hi, Sherry. You’re a gem. Thanks so much and know that the absolute pleasure is all mine. Glad you liked this. And now that you know where that came from, I’m sure this will resonate all the more: I wish you miracles.
A beautiful story of a miracle of love…YOU! Thanks for sharing it, Selma…now your greeting seems even more personal 🙂
Aww. Yes, now everyone knows why I say it and what my credential for that is *wink*. We are all miracles. I thank you for reading and I wish you miracles.
A lovely read. Your mother was right to trust her own instincts. I am an October baby also. Please ask your mother to organise a miracle for me too for my birthday. Happy Birthday for the 29th I am a Libran so mine is sooner than yours:)
October people… yay! love knowing that. I have many dear friends who are libras and we’re thick as thieves. hehe.
And Rall, you are already a miracle. Now all you gotta do is believe it and live according to that truth.
I appreciate you reading and commenting, and for doing that and for existing in this space alongside me, I wish you more miracles.
This is sooo wonderful, all of it. <3 You are so right too. Miracles are waiting to be made and witnessed. You are a proof. And we are collateral wonder. To many more miracles!
Manja, my sweets. Thanks for the lovely comment. And I did notice you doubled the blessing by posting it on TheTwitter. So sweet of you. Thanks.
We are all collateral wonder — make no mistaking of that.
Be well, dear one. IWYM 😃
Well well well …. a pseudo kindred spirit – I too was a premie …. by 8 weeks! Ahhh! and I’m a late 60’s baby – 68 precisely – almost the absolute end of December. Go figure.
Miracles happen – the divine intercedes – or some would suggest Fate, or Karma, Destiny …. who knows why? My mother too, had several awful miscarriages prior to me and was told she would never have another child (although I do have an older brother) – but how lovely that you and your mom were “fighters” — grit, determination? maybe just an bond – a true Love bond – and perhaps, since no explanations can ever be satisfying, you are here – you clearly had a very special relationship with your mother – and this – both of you – is a gift. 🙂
So glad you came to read. And the more we interact the more we come to discover our similarities. I’m overjoyed. Sista!
Your comments are precious. Thanks so dearly. Be well. I wish you miracles
(Hope you never tire of me telling you this) xoxo
Wishing someone miracles is truly a lovely wish/sentiment – so why would I tire of a gift, a blessing? 😉😂
And I wish the same for you, naturally 😁
commonalities and differences, yet beneath it all, we’re all really not much different – blood, bone, tissues etc. and emotions, feelings – stripped away, a nude is a nude is a nude … we all have funny bits 😉
actually, you’re post surprised me – it’s not often people talk about being a premie – so that’s a cool thing in my mind 🙂
hope you have a most tremendous weekend – peace + miracles
How lovely to be a miracle baby and to be reminded of it so regularly. I died when I was born and was revived so I guess that was a kind of miracle too though no one ever said so.
You ARE a miracle. No doubt. And I’m telling you this now. Please believe it.
And what a lovely a lovely human you are. Stay lovely. I wish you more miracles. xo
Selma your story is a blessing to all of us, thank you for sharing it with us. Wishing you happy birthday in advance as well 💕 God had a purpose for you in life and you yourself are the greatest proof of God’s miracle, stay blessed always ❤
What lovely words you bestow on me today, Daphny. So glad you read. I was already feeling your absence. Hope all’s well with you. Stay sweet and strong, dear one. I’m glad you liked my story. Thanks for the well wishes. And in turn, I wish you miracles.
Just some health issues since seasonal change has never been kind to me 😅 But I’m back on track now and I’m really glad to come read your post 😇 Felt really blessed reading your story ❣️
Sending you healing blessings. Glad you’re here. Take great care of YOU. 💕
Thank you, I will and You take care as well 🤗❣️
Reading this, I wanted to hug you tight, not too tight to smother the premie, but tight enough to give you all the love your miracle worker won’t be able to give you this year. :*
Aww– wanted to hug me? Aww, you are sweet. Thanks so much for that. I got your virtual hug. So pleased with your comment, Dawn. Hope the hug brought you to a good place as well. Hugs tend to work both ways. Sending you more good vibes.
Yes, that’s what is so good about hugs, isn’t it? That they work both ways (if done in a non creepy way) 😀
Thanks for the good vibes. I’m taking them all tonight, I received news that wasn’t exactly positive, reading your comments makes it all better 😀
Glad something helps you. Be well, Dawn. I’m thinking of you still from across the ocean. 🤗
Thank you Selma. Be well too! Wishing you miracles :*
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That is so beautiful Selma <3
And what a miracle indeed, that's so early! You must have been so tiny, but amazingly resilient.
Yes I was. Teeny. But the human I was assigned to gave me everything she could to give me a good start. I was her miracle. 👏 Now I pay it forward as that’s the right thing to do, methinks.
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