Thursday, June 10, 2010

Happy Birthday, Little Worm...



Today is Kate's 8th birthday. "Little Worm" is what I always called her. That nickname began when she was a baby all swaddled in a blanket. She used to squirm a lot so I started calling her Squirmy Wormie which then turned into Wormie and finally Little Worm. She didn't mind, in fact she actually liked it. That's what I called her every day, and I still do.

Kate is an amazing and wonderful soul. She was born that way, I didn't have much to do with it. She was easy-going, fun-loving and she really cared about other people. Like really cared. If someone was being treated unfairly at school, it bothered her a lot. She wanted to stick up for people and for herself, when the need arose, but, like me, she wasn't the most assertive - possibly because she always wanted to make people happy and avoid conflict.

She spent so much time drawing pictures for people, making cards for people and just doing little things to make other people smile. She was constantly writing notes to her friends and me, Steve and Peter, telling everyone how much she loved them. For the most part, she took care of me every bit as much as I took care of her. I distinctly remember one day when she was two and I was having a really hard time. I had just figured out the truth about Steve and was trying to figure out how I was going to handle being a single mother with a 2 year-old a 10 month-old and no job. I was sitting on Kate's little Dora the Explorer couch crying when she took my hand and said "Mama, it's gonna be ok". I remember thinking, "I'm the parent and you're the child - you're not supposed to be taking care of me". But she was. And she continued to love me, Peter and Steve unconditionally.

I miss her so much it's, at this point, nearly unbearable. I wanted to use this post to tell everyone about all of her wonderful qualities and what made Kate Kate, but I'm just sitting here crying. I can't find the words to even begin to illustrate her amazing personality.

So, because I can't seem to write real coherently right now, here are some pictures from each of the 6 birthdays I got to spend with you and also the day she was born:


Katherine Noelle Ambrusko
June 10, 2002



On her first birthday at our home in Buffalo, sitting on the previously mentioned Dora couch.


Her 2nd birthday party was at Chuck E. Cheese days before we moved to Pittsuburgh.


For her 3rd birthday we met some friends at the Children's Musem.


Love the sunglasses...


Her 4th birthday party involved strawberry picking and a hay ride and a farm north of Pittsburgh. It was a great time. Unfortunately, I decided to buy those candles that don't blow out and she was pretty disappointed when she couldn't blow them out. I still feel bad about that one.



For Kate's 5th birthday Steve and I planned a surprise trip to Disney World. Kate and Peter both had a blast and I'm so glad we had the opportunity to take them.



As an extra birthday treat I took Kate to the Bibbity Bobbity Boutique where she was made up like a princess, complete with hair extensions and glitta. She loved it.






And here she is on her 6th birthday. We had a magician come to our house and she, Peter and her friends had a wonderful time.



I hope wherever she is right now she's being celebrated and surrounded by love.

Happy birthday, Kate. I love you.

39 comments:

  1. She is loved! You are loved!

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  2. What a sweet girl! Happy Birthday, little one. Hugs for your momma!

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  3. Happy Birthday, Kate. What a sweet little girl. She looks very much like you :-)! Really noticed that fact in these pictures. Good thoughts to Kate, wherever she is, and hugs to her amazing mommy.

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  4. Sitting here in tears, looking at her beautiful face... it just isn't fair. I wish I had something helpful to say right now. It just breaks me heart that your heart is broken... I know Kate and Peter are somewhere wonderful, but it just makes me so sad to think of your sorrow.

    Happy Birthday, Kate!

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  5. Happy birthday to a beautiful little girl.

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  6. My heart and thoughts are with you. I am sure Kate is with you too.

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  7. I am a stranger but found your blog through a link on facebook about the park. My heart goes out to you today. Happy birthday to your precious little lady.

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  8. Every last one of us here is celebrating her and surrounding her with loving thoughts. In fact, I think the sun is shining today in her honor. She sounds like such a beautiful, insightful, thoughtful and special little girl. I'm so sorry you have to hurt this way. She's such a lucky little girl to have a Mom and Dad that love her immensely and who made each of her birthdays so special. *hugs*

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  9. Happy Birthday Kate!! I feel pretty certain that she is being celebrated as she should be with her brother by her side. Lots of extra love today, Amy.

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  10. Happy Birthday, Kate. I'm with Katie... it just isn't fair. But how blessed you were to have her for a short time.

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  11. I wish I could hug you, and I wish it would help.

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  12. Such a beautiful girl. Happy Birthday Kate! Kate, wherever you are, maybe you could help spread the word about the little boy Kyron who needs help being found in Oregon.

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  13. Amy, you wrote a great tribute to her, even through your pain.

    Happy birthday, Kate!

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  14. Precious pictures! It's clear that her short time on Earth was filled with love. You are a great mom, and you inspire me to be a better mother, too. *hugs*

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  15. Amy, today is my birthday too, and I'm honored to share it with Kate and to say a prayer for her and your family. Hugs to you.

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  16. Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you! Happy Birthday dear Kate! Happy Birthday to you!

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  17. hugs and thoughts and prayers, and tears. i am so sad for you today, but joyful that you have had such a beautiful daughter in your life.

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  18. Happy Birthday, Kate. Again, Amy, the amazing mother you are just shines through in each of these pictures and on her beautiful little face. My heart is breaking for you. Thank you for sharing your amazing daughter with us.

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  19. happy birthday kate. you have an amazing mommy. hope you and your brother are celebrating together today. amy, hang in there. today is my birthday too, and im honored to share it with such a beautiful little spirit:-)

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  20. Thank you for sharing such beautiful and precious pictures of Kate with us. Happy Birthday little one! Amy, my tears are mingled with yours and my heart aches also. Hugs to you! What an awesome little girl! You inspire me to be a better mother.

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  21. She's being celebrated right here, right now by all of us, Amy. And forget about being incoherent. By the time I finished reading your post I could feel a real sense of Kate and the special soul she is. Your children have made a lasting impression on me. I think about you and your children often - at odd times during the day while I am with my own six year old daughter. No doubt that your words, your experience, your beautiful children have made a difference in my life. Happy Birthday, Kate!

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  22. Your words did describe her wonderful qualities and amazing personality! You are a perfect mom!
    Happy Birthday Kate.
    Hugs,
    Dawn

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  23. Happy birthday, Kate!

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  24. Happy Birthday Kate!! Beautiful pictures!! Love you Amy...xoxoxoxo

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  25. Happy Birthday, little girl! She's been beautiful and very special.
    I strongly (!) believe that the ones who suffer are we in this world - not the ones who left.

    BIG HUG

    Christina

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  26. What a beautiful post and tribute to Kate, Amy. It makes me wish I had gotten the honor of meeting her - she sounds like such a special little girl.

    Happy birthday, Kate. Keep an eye out for us down here.

    Keep swimming, Amy. Kate would want you to!

    love and hugs
    Ashley

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  27. Happy Birthday Kate (sorry this wish is one day late). As with your mommy and most other readers, I too am sitting here with tears in my eyes thinking this is so unfair. Amy - thank you for sharing the pictures and insight into Little Worm's birthday parties over the years.

    Love,
    Kym

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  28. Keep your faith that she is in a better place!
    My thoughts and prayers are always with you.

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  29. She is being celebrated down here and up above!

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  30. Happy Birthday Kate! Our family lit a candle for you last night!

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  31. I think you did a wonderful job describing all of her terrific qualities...She sounds like her mother.

    Happy Birthday Kate.

    Kathy Clark

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  32. Happy Birthday Kate!

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  33. happy birthday Kate!
    and whoa, Peter is such a big little man! almost as big as her!

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  34. Happy Birthday Kate! What a beautiful and sweet girl. This is a wonderful tribute to her.

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  35. Amy - what a wonderful tribute to Kate. As hard as it was for you to write, you are touching many, many people with your words. Which seems to be in spirit with Kate's personality (wanting to help people).

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  36. Such an amazing person that she is still making people fall in love with her even from wherever she is.

    Happy Birthday, Kate! I hope you are enjoying all of your favorite kinds of cake!

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  37. What a beautiful girl. Happy Birthday!

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