Adalyn, my wildflower bright, You chase the wind, you catch the light. With dino roars and spinning wheels, You turn the world with how you feel.
Your smile is a spark, it’s sunbeams bursting, It finds my heart and it quenches the thirsting. You dance like storms and giggle like rain, Then you hold me close through joy or through pain.
You roar like a T-Rex in the hall, Then twirl and tumble, with your feet so small. You lead with love, you leap with grace, You are such a whirlwind in a tiny space.
Feral, free, and full of fire, You climb, you jump, and you never tire. But in your arms, the world is still, It’s a gentle hug, such a quiet thrill.
You rally crowds for “dance mode” fun, The party starts with just one run. And in our group hug, squeezed in tight, You shine with all your little might.
You’re kind, you’re strong, you’re truly you, And every day, you’re something new. I watch, in awe, as time moves on. My sweet baby girl, my rising dawn.
So when the days feel far too fast, I’ll hold these moments, make them last. For in your eyes, I clearly see The best the world could ever be.
Keep shining bright, my beautiful little firecracker. I love you. Mean it. Always. Momma 💕❤️
The Story of Quacky: A Christmas Duck Full of Memories
Let me tell you a story about a duck. Not just any duck—this is a special duck. A duck that has been part of our family since 1994. It’s a plush, quacking Christmas duck by House of Lloyd. But, trust me, it’s not the brand or the fact that it’s 29 years old that makes it special. Let me tell you what makes it really special.
This duck, affectionately named Quacky (he’s Daffy Duck’s cousin in my childlike imagination), has been a Christmas tradition for me and many of my cousins since it was first purchased by my Grandmom all those years ago. Every Christmas, Grandmom’s house would transform into a holiday wonderland—bright lights, twinkling garland, the delicious smell of treats, and of course, Quacky sitting on the couch, waiting for us to make him sing Christmas carols.
Even as an adult, I’d visit Grandmom’s during the holidays, and there he’d be, sitting on the couch just as he had been for years. I’d laugh, give him a hug, and make him quack the silliest Christmas songs. No matter how old I got, Quacky was always there to remind me of the magic of Christmas.
But here’s the twist. You see, this isn’t just a stuffed duck. It’s a treasure trove of memories. It’s joy. It’s love. It’s a piece of Christmas that connects me to the past, and more than that, to my Grandmom, who I knew would smile every time she saw us play with Quacky.
About five years ago, Grandmom asked if I wanted to take Quacky home to keep for Christmas. Without hesitation, I said, “Yes!” A stuffed animal? Yes, I know. It’s silly, but Quacky was full of so much joy, and it felt like a piece of my Grandmom I could hold onto.
Flash forward to this year—the first Christmas without Grandmom. I couldn’t wait to share Quacky with my daughter. She’s obsessed with ducks—she quacks all the time, and I knew she’d love Quacky just as much as I did. It was going to be magical.
But then, something unexpected happened. This year, when we put the batteries in Quacky—after nearly three decades of holiday quacking—the duck went silent.
Nothing. No Christmas carols. Just silence.
It’s hard to explain to anyone who doesn’t know how important Quacky is, but for me, it felt like a small piece of the world had gone quiet. This was the first Christmas I was spending without my Grandmom, and it felt like Quacky had given his last quack with her.
I tried to find another one. I found one on eBay, but the price was steep, and I couldn’t guarantee it would even work. And as much as I thought about buying another one, I realized that the true value of Quacky isn’t in the sound he makes. It’s in the memories he holds.
After tears, heartbreak, and a few moments of questioning whether I should “retire” Quacky for good, I made a decision. We’re keeping him. Even though he no longer quacks, Quacky is still full of memories. He’s still special, and I’m going to share him with my daughter. She won’t know the joy of hearing his carols, but we can still make him quack. We can be the voice of Quacky, just like my Grandmom did for me.
In a way, this silent duck is a reminder that love and memories don’t have to sound a certain way to be felt. Even when someone is no longer here with us, we can keep their voice alive by telling stories, laughing, and remembering the special moments we shared.
Quacky may be silent, but his spirit is alive. And so is my Grandmom’s. I’ll tell my daughter about her. I’ll keep the memories of her alive. And every Christmas, Quacky will be there, in our home, a symbol of the love, joy, and tradition that still lives on.
To say I’ve cried over a stuffed duck might sound silly to some, but if you truly understand the meaning of what this little duck represents, then you know why I’ve shed those tears. It’s not just a duck—it’s everything it carries: the laughter, the love, the memories of a woman who shaped so much of my childhood and my life.
So, here’s to Quacky, the duck that will never die. He’s more than just a plush toy; he’s a living memory. And I hope, when you look up at the stars this holiday season, you’ll think of my Grandmom. Tell her we miss her and that we’re okay. Even Quacky is okay.
And as you’re going about your holiday season, don’t forget to reach out to your loved ones. If someone is no longer with you this year, honor their memory. Speak their name out loud. Keep their love alive, because they would want you to.
October. Our baby girl’s first birthday. It’s party time. Make a wishlist. Pick a theme. Find a venue. Order everything. Buy the smash cake. Decorate the smash cake. Order the party dresses. Borrow an air pump from the neighbors. Blow up the balloons. Visit craft stores for the perfect candy board. Trash the kitchen making treats for the party. Every thing has to be PERFECT for our little girl’s first birthday. It HAS TO BE.
We’ve worked so hard to have this precious little lady perfectly made for us. To celebrate her first year was something so special to me and the people that love her dearly, I wanted this day to be perfect.
So here it is, a small glimpse into our preparations, the party day, and her cake smash photos.
It was an entire week of making memories. Yes, of course SHE won’t remember any of this, but momma, daddy, and the rest of her friends and family sure will. I couldn’t have done a single bit of this without the help of our amazing family and friends stepping in to lend a helping hand, a few dollars here and there, and mostly, their love.
To everyone who made our little girl’s first birthday so special, I want to send out my sincerest gratitude. Her birthday is always going to be special, but one day, she’ll look back at these photos and see her first friends. She’ll see the family that drove HOURS to celebrate with her. She’ll see the smiles on our faces and know without a doubt that she’s loved by so many people.
THANK YOU!!
Here’s to our little girl, she’s perfect in every way. Happy Birthday, Adalyn.
Project: Life 