Most of the time, day in and day out, I think of her as mine. It is my job to raise her to my expectations. She is my responsibility. Her behavior reflects upon me. I decide who she sees and where she goes.
Then every now and then, I get a glimpse of the future, and a dose of reality. She is not really mine. I don't get to keep her. I get to borrow her, help her, guide her, and love her. But she does not belong to me. She will go her own way. She has things to do, talents within her that will emerge and blossom.
It gets me teary, but it's all pretty wonderful, isn't it?
{Delaney getting ready for her first dress rehearsal before her team dance competition next weekend}
She really is a beautiful girl. All your kids are "lookers". Love your new camera, it looks like you're having fun.
Posted by: Kimberly | March 08, 2009 at 07:55 AM
That's a very pretty picture. I loved what you wrote. It IS wonderful! Sometimes I'm in awe of my responsibility for my girl even for a short time. At times it can be sad to see her growing up but she is so amazing and it is exciting to see the path she will pick for her life.
Posted by: Toni | March 08, 2009 at 12:16 PM
Wow! She's so grown up looking in that picture!!
Posted by: Jen | March 08, 2009 at 02:21 PM
That's a good reminder, but something I can't quite get my head around yet... mostly because I'm still trying to get "my" kids home via adoption.
...on the other hand, adoption may end up being a great reminder: These children aren't really mine. By God's grace, I have them on loan.
~Luke
Posted by: Luke Holzmann | March 09, 2009 at 10:21 AM