My daughter has grown into a beautiful young lady, both inside and out. She is stunning, even in sweats and a t-shirt first thing in the morning. Her personality is warm, kind and generous, which radiates from her and invites people to be comfortable around her. There is a certain reserve though that lends her an air of mystery. I am lucky to have her as a daughter.
But all day long I have reminisced about the highlights of my first baby's life. I remembered how long her labor was. I remembered her riding her first bike at the age of five and playing parking lot for hours in our driveway. I remembered aching muscles from pushing her on the swing. I remembered her first day of school when I was more distressed than she was. I remembered the awkward preteen years when she struggled to figure out what was important to her. Where has it all gone? I also remembered that every step of the way, my job was to get her ready to be the person she is meant to be. I guess I have done that.
So now I have a fine line to walk. I need to give her the room to continue to grow without allowing my sense of loss her stunt her growth. Now that she is on the threshold heading out the door, I feel the need to hold onto her even more, but now is the time to really start letting go. I have to trust that I have done my job well, and that my new job is to assist her as she moves forward.
Sixteen has been sweet for Kim. Her celebration was all she hoped for and there is more to come as we celebrate with her family. But obviously, whoever coined the phrase "Sweet Sixteen" wasn't thinking of mothers. It is a bittersweet moment, full of promise and loss.
Happy Birthday Kim. May all your dreams come true, today and always.
