Family

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Wrote this one back in May (as part of the Challenge), and today we dropped her off, for the first time, at her new High School. Thought I'd share in regular article submission...

This one’s for my daughter. I call my wife my "Target Audience." I think most everything I write is ultimately written with her in mind. I want her approval. Her affection. I love it when she says, “I like it.” But not today, not this one – this one’s for my little girl.

I hope she’ll read it.

My wife (her mom) and I went to her school today. She had to give her "Rites Of Passage" Presentation, a sort of recap of her experience the last few years in Middle School. She is leaving the eighth grade and starting High School next year. I know – High School! She’s growing up so fast. My mom and dad said it would happen, the part about them growing up so fast. I didn’t believe them at the time. I do now.

I hope she slows down some on the growing up so fast.

I’m not sure if I’ve ever been more proud. She handled herself with candor and professionalism. She was funny. She was cute. She was mature. I could not believe that this was my little girl standing in front of me. Telling us about her last three years. How much she has learned, how much she has grown. Daddy was indeed proud.

I hope she’ll believe me when I tell her that.

Part of the presentation included how she has helped out in the community, and she told about how she helps out in Children’s Church every Sunday. Helps with the singing, the crafts. It’s so funny the way they talk these days isn’t it? Let’s see, how did she put it? “I help out in…yeah…Children’s Church, with the singing…and the…yeah…the crafts…and like…whatever.” It made me smile.

I hope she knows just how much help she’s been.

My favorite part was at the end. When she was done with her presentation one of her teachers told us what a special girl we had. After that another spoke up and told us our daughter makes her day – everyday! Okay, maybe they’re supposed to say that, but this Daddy knows better. He could see it in their eyes, hear it in their voices – they meant what they said.

I hope she knows how special she is.

Now comes the hard part – the part where I have to, at least on some level – let go. Not always easy, but absolutely necessary. Happens a little bit more each year, and I think this is the year it becomes the most obvious, where it becomes the hardest. For you see, my little girl, is quickly becoming, a little lady.

I hope I can handle it.

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