I woke up one week ago, on a Thursday morning, with a lump in my throat.
It had been a long, sleepless night; so many thoughts rolling around in my heart; so many memories. Sesame Street and tea parties. Beanie Babies and Disneyworld. Time had flown by so very quickly. Like a blur, really. An “over-the-top” happy, wonderful, “I am blessed” kind of blur. I stumbled out of bed hoping that coffee might clear the brain fog. Thought of the day: Reality is overrated. The truth is, I much prefer a world of happy disillusionment (is that even a word?). My baby is growing up. Her first day of first grade. Kindergarten was hard enough, but first grade would be all day. What would I do without her? She had laid out her clothes the night before and her backpack was waiting near the door. Her bedroom door opened and down she came, so ready to greet the day ahead. She looked so beautiful. So grown up. The coffee was strong, and the fog was starting to lift. Or was it…?? My eyes tried to focus on the “Tweety Bird” backpack sitting by the door, but my vision was blurred. Wait. Was that actually a leather briefcase and a name badge? I blinked. I blinked again. Hard. A single tear rolled down my cheek…
My little girl was all grown up, and headed out for her first day in the business world. A “big girl job”!! It was HER day. A day she deserved; a day she had EARNED. As a little girl, we always said she was our feisty little tiger – and she still is. It has served her well over the years. When life threw obstacles in her path, she never let them get the best of her. She rose to the challenge each and every time, and slayed the dragon. That girl of mine is one tough cookie, let me tell you! She is smart, determined, personable and one heck of a hard worker. As her mom, we traveled much of that road together. The ups, and the downs. She has taught me much about life. And love. And happiness. Today I stand in awe of the woman she has become. I am blessed to be her mom. “A daughter is the happy memories of the past, the joyful moments of the present and the hope and promise of the future.” – Author unknown
Little girl in a pink tutu with a sassy little spirit… or a beautiful young woman in “business casual” with a confident smile?
I guess for me, she will always be both.
This beautiful song is for my mother, daughter, and someday, perhaps, my daughter’s daughter… with love xo
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLS0Y40WwlA&w=420&h=315]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLS0Y40WwlA
live happy
Beautifully written Cathy with so much meaning and love put into this! You do have a hidden talent of expressing yourself with thoughts and words! Now I’m wiping my tears away and smiling.
Did a lot of “wiping tears” myself trying to put it down “on paper”… Happy that it also made you smile tho 😉
Love it Cathy! Love the photo on the bike. What a wonderful tribute to your daughter. She’s lucky to have you as a mother!
Thanks for that vote of confidence, Dawn! I feel so blessed to have her as my (little) girl… <3