Summer Blessings

As Summer begins to wind down, I sit and reflect on all we've done, and all we'd still like to do. This Summer, as with all Summers, we've made sweet memories with our children that we will forever cherish. Long days in the pool, hiking to beautiful waterfalls, and BBQs with family and friends are among the cherished moments of the season. My favorite memory of this Summertime however, is a phone call received from my eldest daughter. We had planned a family camping trip in NH for the first time after missing two Summers of camping and Kailah had asked us if she had to go. She remembered the bugs and the days without showers and the uncomfortable camper beds. Kailah had declared more than once how much she disliked camping. So instead of fighting with her to go on this family vacation, Bill and I conceded and arranged for her Godmother to stay at the house with her while we were gone. A mere two days into our week long trip, I received a phone call from Kailah. She was lonely and wanted to come to the campground earlier than her planned visit. She gave away her hours at work, cancelled her plans, and headed to the mountains. Sitting around the campfire, toasting marshmallows, and playing cribbage seemed all the more sweeter with our entire family together. But I realized that this sweetness was only possible by letting go. As much as we had wanted to tell Kailah she must go with us and be a part of our family trip, we were led in another direction. We were led to let go and to realize that she is nearly grown now and has to be allowed to make some decisions on her own. By doing so, we were rewarded with her longing to be with us. The sweetness of those words, "I miss you", coming over that phone still rings in my heart. As much as we may disagree and as much as she pulls to be free, I know her heart is with us. Heading now into her first year in Community College, I have a distinct sorrow that my little girl is so grown up. I look back on all the days, and years of her childhood with so much fondness. I remember her curled up on Daddy's lap watching the campfire. I remember her first year of schooling when she wanted me by her side to see everything she did in her Kindergarten workbooks. I remember her passion at gymnastics when she finally achieved a new skill and her first hit in softball. I look back over all the years of her childhod and realize how blessed my life has been with her as my daughter, and I know that I will continue to be blessed by her presence in my life. No matter how old she gets or where she goes in life, she'll always be my girl. She'll always be the one who made me a mom. She'll always be my Kailah Jayla! I am so proud to have such a strong and wonderful daughter. God has truly blessed me!