A Ray Of Sunshine

This is our dear boy's birth-day.  And a fine looking fellow for one year.  Picture of health, eyes bright + cheeks like two rose-buds.  In fact, he is our pride, our joy.  He is running over with fun + mischief.  He is the life of the place, a ray of sunshine that has fallen across our pathway.  - Frances, April 1891

Yesterday, I received a birthday invitation from a good friend - not for her, but the couple's one year old son!  He has the cutest baby hair, and rosy little cheeks just like Frances' son.  I'm sure my friend has experienced the joy and mischief that Frances describes as well.  This entry could have easily been written by a new mother today.  Those feelings of wonder and love easily eclipse the feelings of exhaustion! 

For Frances, every child's life was reason to celebrate.  She had 6 children, but one little girl didn't live to see her first birthday - unfortunately, a common occurrence at the time.  While no mother will ever stop worrying about the life of her child, a First Birthday is a joyous milestone.  This tiny person is just beginning his or her time in the world - and that is definitely worth celebrating.