I found this card in a box I bought at a thrift store and I absolutely love it. I was close to publishing my memoir Steel Town Girl and I was still so close to the trauma of it all and reeling in pain, that it made me cry like a baby.
When I look this little girl’s face, I see someone snuggled up close to good feelings like a snuggly old teddy bear because she doesn’t yet know how to articulate her feelings. But, we can see it in her giddy rosy glow and gooey embarrassment from all the attention that she is getting that she feels valued, loved and celebrated. Exactly what children should feel. It’s not about decadent cakes, expensive gifts, or parties we can’t afford. It’s about celebrating the person. Yay! I had you and you are a gift to my life! I love you and I want to tell the world I’m happy you’re here!
Children of narcissistic parents rarely feel important or loved and get through life feeling unworthy of anything good, let alone get celebrated. After all, who do we think we are? We’re just a pain in our parent’s backside, and we require way too much. This hurts adult children of narcissistic parents for decades until we process the pain and we learn to celebrate ourselves. And even then, no matter how old we get — it still stings seeing others have loving, caring, parents when we didn’t.
I’ll be 51 soon, so this year I’m celebrating and appreciating my resilience, determination, and an innate ability to survive this plight with a sense of humor and an open heart. I’m feeling as giddy and gooey with excitement for the future as the little girl in the photo. And because of that, I want to give away 5 copies (one book for every decade of my life) in return for your honest review of the book.
Contest rules:
- Comment below and tell me your best EVER childhood birthday memory!
- Tell me why you love to read memoirs.
- I’ll choose the five best answers as winners!
- I’ll contact each winner and ask for an address and send your book!
Simple!
*Contest runs from Nov 30th-Dec 10th.
Robin Donnelly 
My most memorable birthday is when I turned 50 year’s young. I know one would think I’d have had one earlier in life, but I really don’t remember any. My 50 the birthday was the best for me, because I finally fucking figured out that my ” Best” is good enough! And, that I’m a great person, who has a lot of love to offer. I enjoy reading memoirs because I like taking every step with the author. It’s like their diary.
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Amen Stacey! What a gift to be given! To realize we are enough, are great people with big hearts and our best is good enough! Yay! We not only have a lot of love to give, but deserve a lot of love in return. Remember You Are Loved! Thanks for stopping by!
Robin
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Hi Stacey! You won a signed copy of my book! If you go to my FB author’s page, you can send me your address there. Thank you! Happy Reading! https://www.facebook.com/RDonnellyLPN/?modal=admin_todo_tour
~ Robin Donnelly
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Oh and, HAPPY BIRTHDAY 🎂
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Thank you! 💝
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My favorite birthday memory is the year I was pregnant with my son! It was March 9th and it was my due date! My birthday is the 20th. We had a record snowfall that year, 1993. on the 9th. 17”. My husband and I got dressed up in coats, boots and all of our winter gear and went on snowy hike trying to induce labor. We had so much fun walking through deep drifts hoping it would start contractions of some sort. Nothing happened that day and I made it all the way to the 16th before he was born. It was the best birthday gift , ever, to have my child. Every year my son and I celebrate our birthday together. I remember that snowstorm and how we tried to get him here. He’s 25!
I’m so hoping to read your memoir! Since I’ve started the recovery from being raised by two narcissistic parents, I’ve found memoirs and stories that I relate to, to be the most validating affirmation that all I’ve ever felt was wrong actually was! It wasn’t just me! I’m NOT awful! I wasn’t an awful child! I find reading like experiences to be so healing for me knowing I wasn’t alone.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Robin!
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Thank you! I love that you had your son so close to your birthday that he was in fact your best gift ever!
Recovery is possible and we can do it together! No, you weren’t an awful child. You are deserving of love and adoration and all things good!
Thanks for stopping by!
Happy healing!
Robin
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Thank you, Robin! Healing love.
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Hi Lucy! You won a signed copy of my book! Please go to my FB author’s page and send me a message with your address there. Thank you! And happy reading! https://www.facebook.com/RDonnellyLPN/?modal=admin_todo_tour
~ Robin Donnelly
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My best birthday memory is my 40th. My birthday is on New Years Day and I was a newly married bride of 3 weeks. After decades of abuse from my parents and in my previous marriages, I FINALLY had a kind and thoughtful man to love me. We were married at Walt Disney World and came back a few weeks later for my birthday. As I enjoyed the spectacular New Years fireworks display from a prime viewing spot with my handsome and sweet hubby at my side, I felt truly loved and happy. I also realized it was the first drama-free birthday I have ever had. I enjoy memoirs because they are often inspiring stories about overcoming obstacles – and it means so much more knowing that they are true stories. If someone else did this, maybe I can too.
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That sounds like a spectacular birthday! And I’m glad you have a sweet, loving husband to boot! We deserve love, safety and adoration. Thank you for stopping by!
Robin
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Hi DisneyBride! You won a signed copy of my book! Please go to my FB author’s page and send me your address there. https://www.facebook.com/RDonnellyLPN/?modal=admin_todo_tour
Thank you! Happy Reading!
~ Robin Donnelly
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