A few months ago, my daughter, Emily, came home from school with a Josten’s graduation packet. We went through the catalogue and picked out her cap and gown, her ornament for her tassel, graduation invitations, etc.—no biggie.
Then, a few weeks later, we started preparing for her senior pictures (what outfits she wanted to wear, how she wanted her hair fixed, props she wanted to use, etc.)—again, no biggie. A couple weekends ago, I took her shopping for her prom dress. We gathered a few dresses she picked out and headed to the dressing room. THEN, as she stepped out of the dressing room, it hit me! She has grown into a beautiful young woman.
It seemed like only yesterday I was holding this tiny little baby in my arms. As a young mother, I remember feeling nervous and a somewhat overwhelmed with such a huge responsibility that was placed upon me. God had blessed me with this little human being—a clean slate—and I was holding the chalk. I was responsible for raising her to become a compassionate, caring, self-confident, responsible lady. There were many nights I would lay in bed and question my parenting—am I doing it right. However, I look at her now and those questions have been answered. I did a pretty good job!! I am so very proud of who she is and who she is becoming.
Am I ready for her to graduate? Yes and no. I look forward to watching her decide what career path she will take and whether she will choose to move away or stay close to home. I, however, am not looking forward to the empty chair at the dining room table or the loneliness that will surely loom over our home without her in it.
“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
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