Showing posts with label daughters. Show all posts
Showing posts with label daughters. Show all posts

Wednesday, June 04, 2008

More Landmarks...

Who would have thought ironing could be so poignant and memorable? Last Friday I pressed my daughter's graduation gown. Then I noticed one of the family albums poking out of the shelf. Turned out to be the album my mother made for me with pictures from babyhood to my embarkation to college. (Funny how that happened.) Of course, I had to look. Then my girls wanted to have a glance too. Ah the memories we explored that day. (And amazing how little graduation robes have changed!)

As you can see from her graduation picture, my Rachel is expressive! She's an artist to the core and in the fall will pursue a degree in illustration. So much talent. Her ceremony brought me to tears to hear her goal stated in front of everyone. "To one day have a painting in a museum." Yes, she's truly an artist. We won't tell her how most artists got there. LOL!

Next week, my Leslie will graduate middle school and make the journey to high school. I can't wait to see what these years bring her. She's already so passionate about her future. And so gifted!

God has truly blessed me as a mother. Times like these make the trials and the pains of the past years easy to forget. Let's just say God is very faithful. These two smiling faces are my proof.

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Another Pivotal Moment...

I stood in my kitchen the other day, chatting with my 17 year old daughter. I found myself talking to her about something I wanted her input on. As I spoke, I realized there'd been a shift in our relationship.

My daughter attended a summer precollege art program at California College of the Arts. A very transforming month for her and a type of preparation time for me. I tasted what it will be like when she goes to college next year.

So there I stood in my kitchen, chatting with this amazing young woman, and at the same time, I realized we were at the first stages of friendship. My first thought? Now I know how my mom felt.

When I mentioned what I was feeling to my daughter, her face lit with a smile and she said, "I know! Isn't it great?"

Kids are amazing. They enter the world as these tiny, helpless little beings, who immediately wrap our hearts (and stomachs in knots) and then over time transform into amazing, independent adults set on a path of their own. Where did the time go?

I've loved every stage of their growing up, and I'll admit that sometimes I really miss the babies they were. But I'm enjoying this new stage in our relationship.

I fly to Florida next week to see my mom. Now I get to tell her, "I totally get it."