Monday, December 16, 2013

The Best Blooming Thing

The most wonderful aspect of being a parent is watching your children bloom.

Leaving the parish play practice the other night, a parent snarked, "Whose kid is that without the sleeves?" Smiling and proud, I answered, "Mine, there are some battles I choose not to fight."

Silence... The most conservatively dressed and multilayered mom has a daughter wearing Minnie Mouse arm warmers and a sweatshirt vest and it's below freezing. So what? There was no mention of the heavy eye liner... Maybe tonight.

She is exploring, experimenting, discovering and all her undergarments are on and appropriately covered.

She is chatty. She has a friend. He is a boy. They hang out. I'm delighted. They are good for each other's first relationship. I enjoy the excitement in her voice when she relates stories from their texts. And the seriousness when she assures me they are just friends.

She is finding her way.  Making choices on  her own. Discovering her passions.
I could not be more proud.

3 comments:

jeff noel said...

We are in a similar space and time. It's amazing to watch. First-timers at the whole thing. Joy. Blessing. Patience. Hope. (and a pinch of worry for good measure) :)

Patty Hebert said...

First time. Second time. Or tenth. There is such wonder and delight. How blessed we are to watch the transformation.

jeff noel said...

Amen.