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It doesn’t seem like eighteen
years,
A daughter born to me so
dear.
From tooth fairies to cuddle
teds
Barbie dolls, Victoria plum
bedspreads.
Your early days in a mobile
home,
With Pauline and Tracey whom
we still know.
Donna and Nanny-Fred were
always close,
Your dad and I, so proud,
loved you the most.
When you were two, we moved
to Government Row,
Started the Prince of Wales,
started to grow.
It’s there you befriended
Katrina and Miai
And Snuggles, your cat stayed
warm by the fire.
Father Christmas bought you a
white music system,
Where Neil, Nik Kershaw (we
sat there and listened)
But soon you were dancing to
Jason and Kyle,
New Kids on the Block, your
idols, oh blimey!
You joined the Brownies with
some of your friends.
Your love of shoes-you’d
started a trend.
You learned to ride your bike
like many new things,
But try as you might-you
couldn’t swim!
In our house by the
river, you spent happy days,
Just recently you’ve seen our
old neighbour Jayne.
You spent some Saturdays
watching Tottenham play,
You had a cake of your team
on your fourteenth birthday.
When you were Ten, we move to
Butlers Drive,
It was then you had a
complete change of life.
Some sad times you may
reminisce,
For the rest of your life
you’ll remember most of this.
It was this time you become a
young woman,
A change of school, Take That
and all their Gen.
King Harold was awaiting an
arty young student,
Where Amy, Chantel and Angela
were also sent.
Andrew, who set his house in
flames,
The notes I wrote to excuse
you from games!
Your rabbit, Beano, a gift
for Easter Day,
Jersey, Somerset, France,
some early holidays.
A new music system now with
Blur and Oasis,
(A group I rather hoped you’d
give a miss!)
A love of pasta, school
dinners with cheese,
A pleasant mannered young
lady, eager to please.
You’ve changed your hair from
long to short,
Different colours and styles
you regularly sport.
Your love of clothes-you
always look nice-
You have to purchase, in
spite of the price!
The years at senior school
soon flew by,
It was now you were starting
to aim quite high.
Exam results were
satisfactory,
Now on to Harlow to study
Psychology.
Now you’re earning your own
cash,
Giving driving lessons at
least a bash.
The love from your extended
family,
Rays’ folks, the Manchester
families.
As times’ worn on, new people
who love you,
There’s Michael, Ray, Joseph,
your brother so new.
We all say ‘congratulations’
on your eighteenth birthday
And as a mother, no-one could
be more prouder than me.
For Gemma
Linda Lawrence
6th February, 1999