Janis Haag and Darlene Haag, circa 1959, Long Beach, California
…this woman was laboring to bring this little blonde girl into the world,
a baby showing up early (a habit not cultivated for the rest of her life),
the baby tiny at 5 pounds-ish, the woman, even pregnant, lithe and dark-haired
and lovely, just having had her 27th birthday, her husband, about to turn 28,
out in the hospital somewhere, waiting for news of his wife and child…
…and they had no idea what lay before them, but the hope of this little person,
their new roommate, and, as it happened, the next little person they made,
a sister for the first one, as they made a family…
…and on the eve of that former baby’s 60th birthday, she is grateful
for the labor that went into making her, for that first push into the world,
followed by many other pushes into things she didn’t think she wanted to do
(tying her shoes, riding a bike, swimming, playing in the band),
for encouraging the things she did like to do (write, read,
publish a neighborhood newspaper, publish other people’s books)…
… and for the continuing love and support of a longtime mother
and for starting that former baby on her lucky, lovely six-decades-long life…
thankyouthankyouthankyou, Ma.
Güd wrtr 
You are so welcome! We are the lucky ones who got you! Can’t believe our baby is 60!
Love, Mom
good luck, your story caught my eye!
Great picture and story, Jan. Dar, you don’t look old enough to have a 60 year old!
How beautiful. Thank you for this.
Well, Happy Anniversary Day of 60 years of loving, caring and sharing! Trust us, 60 is just the beginning! Even as your parents “had no idea what lay before them, but hope”, neither do we. However, hold tight to some of your favorite expressions ~ “Life is Good” and “Enjoy the Ride”!
Hope you have a beautiful day! Love, ~Connie
Happy #60!! Still young in our “older eyes”!!
May you continue your great ride and writings for many more years!
What a nice tribute. Enjoy your day!
Wonderful! Happy Happy Birthday Jan!
Happy Happy Birthday, Eh!