The house is eerily quiet after a summer full of laughter and yelling. And, as I put the last load of laundry in the dryer, and sit down to relax before bed, so many thoughts flood into my head. You finished your first day of Middle School. Around this time last night, your Dad and I sat and debated all the things that could go wrong and how we would handle it, if it did. We were both nervous for you and dare I say shook. As we sat there with the tv off for almost 40 minutes just staring out into space. It seemed unreal that our little timid girl was turning into this tween right in front of our eyes. On our way home from dropping you off and speaking with your counselor, your Dad told me that he wrote you a note. I grimaced a little, after all Dad is often known for his boyish ways (less frills and curls and more blunt and direct). But, when I got home and read the letter. tears literally filled my eyes. (I thought about posting the note, but some things should be between a girl and her Dad.) Now, I know that this doesn’t surprise you because over the years Mom has turn into MUSH. Long gone are my hard exterior and Sky High Walls, blame your Dad for that.
But, I am in tears for many reasons. There is nothing like knowing that your child is loved. I know you are saying he is my Dad and he is supposed to love me. Which of course is true, but it’s the way that he loves you that chokes me up. It is knowing that we were all, you, me and Dad sitting on pins and needles for the last two weeks coming up to the New School Year. It is the little secret conversations that I would catch a second or two of when walking by, over the summer. The way he thought of how to prepare you as best he could for what comes next. Or the pride that I saw in his eyes when you walked across the stage at your Elementary School Graduation in May. And, it is my own understanding that there really is nothing like a Daddy’s love for a little girl.
So as I brace myself for the Middle School Years and the changes that I know you will make and the person who you will become. I remember something that I thought of when you were just a wee little girl. I hoped that you would always be able to feel the love that surrounds you. And, that means when we don’t see eye to eye, or when discipline feels more like punishment and my caring seems more like “stalkery”. And, all these years later as you embark on yet another part of your journey, I hope this still. You are one of my greatest accomplishments and you are loved, supported and wished well in more ways than you will ever know.
