On this day, 40 years ago, I became a mother for the first time. The arrival of my baby girl at 10 minutes to midnight, heralded the start of a whole new life - and the beginning of a whole new me.
I was new mum living in a small central Queensland town, far from family and friends. It was a tough gig. I was so young and had no idea what I was doing! My husband at the time knew even less than me!
When all else failed, I would breast feed my beautiful baby girl. That I could do - it came easily to me. (Little did I know then that I would be breast feeding for around 16 years of my life!!)
What an amazing little girl we'd produced. She was sweet, kind, sensitive, loved animals, books and pretending. From an early age her drawings were exceptional.
And today she is 40. How did so much time go by so quickly?
Now she has teenagers of her own. My girl is still sweet, kind, an animal lover and now runs a successful business using her exceptional creativity.
I am so proud of her.
And what about me? Well, I'm older - and hopefully a bit wiser. My daughter has taught me to love unconditionally, to be there but not to be overbearing, to be supportive when it's needed and to give space when required.
Our children come through us, not from us. They are who they are right from the moment of birth.
Motherhood has made me both softer and harder. It's made me strong but vulnerable. The depth of love that we feel for our kids is sometimes so painful. We know they'll never love us the way we love them - and neither should they.
Our children create their own masterpiece - themselves. We have the privilege of watching and loving the artist at work.
