Aborigines,
Yosef, Dominicans
Kangaroos, Mountain Lions, Sea Turtles
Outback, Western NC,
Hispaniola
A child, a daughter, a woman, independent, strong, intelligent, beautiful.
Why should I worry?
I shouldn't, I musn't.
It is not my battle, it is not my life.
She has graduated from high school.
She has completed her first year in college.
She has worked her first job since college.
Her opinions forming, often quite formed, she shares them.
I know what she thinks, and it isn't expressed to necessarily please me.
Why would I worry? I won't, I can't. She walks her path, with direction and certitude. She could be in college with her high school peers. She could find a soul-mate with a much safer
job. She could be locating herself closer to home.
She could be learning more, setting her course for a lifetime.
She will be learning more, perhaps more than if she were nearby.
We are but caretakers for such a short time. Attempt to impress upon them right from wrong and set them free.
Not too free, we don't want them to crash and burn. So I watch them spread their wings. Choices I may not have made for myself.
Prayer, it's really all I've got. Pray to God, that they walk righteously, that they choose Him over me. Please Him. Stay the course, and please Him.
I will not be afraid. They've made good choices, all three. They aren't choosing for me, they choose for themselves. The daddy in me, wants to scoop them up, keep them close. Here it comes, trust. Trust in the Lord, trust in my daughters. Trust they will consult Him who is in charge.
Spouses on the horizon. I know what I know, but what do I know? Would I choose differently? They know I would weigh in if I saw danger (that is outside the normal danger we all face just by living, that ever-present danger where one will experience the ups and downs of a life lived fully.) I just want them to live fully. I want them love wholly and do plenty of laughing.
I hope and pray that they will always feel safe to come home. Fly far away, experience much, but know that Mom and Poppy have a safe haven for you to return to.
Come back safely, having grown, having learned new skills. Make many new friends, meet new brothers and sisters, but come home to share what you have seen. I don't want to stop any of you from living Your life. Take many mental photographs and actual photos too. Post on facebook, so we can see what you see, be in awe of what is awesome to you and perhaps be jealous and wish we too could be there.
Represent us, whether in the mountains, by the sea or near koalas. Let them who meet you wonder where you hail from. Know that we love you. We are praying for you. We are proud of you.
