A letter to my girl

 
My first born, my girl, my sweetie. There aren't enough names, titles to fully express what you mean to me. How important you are to me. How thankful I am to God for letting me be your Mom.

You were a happy baby. A smiling sweet, curious, smart girl. Such an easy baby, except for the fact that you were a very, very slow eater and you demanded your formula be warm. Night feedings involved at least one trip to re-warm the bottle before you would finish.

You were a delightful, loving child. A little actress and performer from early on. It wasn't enough for you to sit and watch a movie. You had to watch in full costume.

You were such a good student and just an all around good kid, you made being a mom easy and a pleasure.  Transitioning to the role of mom of a college kid, not quite as easy.  I was so lost at first and shed many tears, but like any painful transition, it got easier with time. 

Then it happened. The need to break away, to find your self, to be your own person struck you like hurricane force winds. You weren't sure what you wanted to do with yourself but you were sure the only way you could find out was to be away from us. We wanted to love and protect you but you only felt suffocated.  I'm not sure how the best way would have been to navigate through that time. As parents our job from the beginning is to love and protect. As a young adult instinct tells you you don't need protecting. You need to spread your wings and fly. What happens when it seems like your wings aren't quite ready or that the winds are too dangerous for you to fly safely? It was a tough time, wasn't it? There were stumbles and tears, but fly you did.

 

I'm so very proud of the woman you've become. You are so loving and generous, kindhearted and understanding and above all, you are a wonderful mommy. 

I'm proud to call you daughter, my sunshine, my friend.

Comments

[Sharly]

I really thought that first pictures was Bayleigh!! Wow, what a beautiful woman your daughter has become :)

Congrats to you all!

[Mindy]

I love that last picture with the two of you!

[anina]

Just beautiful Autum.

[Cheryl]

I thought that first pic was Bayleigh too.
I can so relate to you on this post as we send off our oldest to college this summer. It's hard, but I am learning. She needs to grow and be her own person.
Congrats to your daughter on becoming a nurse. I am so proud of her and she isn't even my daughter. : ) I know nursing school is very demanding especially towards the end and i applaud your daughter for being so amibitious and sticking it out when so many often don't.

[Karen H]

What a beautiful letter. You are an amazing woman Autum and I am sure your daughter is proud to call you Mom!

[Thimbleanna]

What a beautiful post Autum. Your daughter is beautiful -- and congratulations on becoming a nurse -- what a wonderful achievement!

[Bridgette]

Now Autum, where do you think she got all those wonderful traits?:)
You did a wonderful job, what a great paycheck.

[Shannon]

Wow! I totally agree with the previous poster....where did she get these wonderful traits? This is so beautiful, not everyone gets to have this kind of relationship.

Contrats on the nursing degree!

[mommymae]

holy smokes! bailey looks just like her!!!