Choking back the tears…
Tears of uncontrollable joy.
Tears of longing for this moment to last just a little bit longer.
Tears for this snippet of life coming to a close.
Tears of pride as my memory wheel spins out of control.
Tears of love.
As I watch my daughter play, in her very last volleyball game of her high school career, I’m choking back tears…well, let’s be honest, tears are steadily falling down my cheeks.
As tears stream down my face and I allow the tears to fall, not hiding my joy and pain mixed together, I feel a sense of warmth and peace.
I’m not consumed with sadness even though the tears say otherwise.
It is time for me to let go a bit…
to slowly slip out of her tiny hand, gripping onto me, as we walk through life together…
slowly let go of and release, the now adult hand holding onto mine silently reassuring me she is ready…
she is more than ready.
Slowly release…
Slowly let go…
and wait…
So my tears, they are not only tears for what will soon be over but tears for all that is to come.
Her life is changing…
Our lives are changing…
but together, we will always be one…
I may not have my toes dipped into every facet of her life in the days ahead, nor should I, but I’m pretty sure I will be gazing in awe, from the sidelines, still cheering on every moment of her precious life as it unfolds before her.
Because as much as I see a beautiful woman in front of me, ready and prepared to soar,
I also see my first baby placed in my arms.
I hear her precious giggle.
I recall her tears as she lost her first tooth.
I feel her determination to make a team.
I remember challenges and persevering through the hard times.
I feel her love…
the love she emanates out to the world.
I see my child, in every element of her life,
from the moment she took her first breath to watching her step forward on the court, for the last time, as her name is announced.
So for now, as tears of joy,
tears for the past,
tears for the present,
tears for the future and
tears for life’s journey ahead roll down my cheeks, I feel beyond blessed.
It has been a blessing to be a part of her life journey so far and now I will wait on the sidelines, with baited breath and maybe a few more tears, as I continue to watch her embark on her journey…
Her miraculous journey of life.
