Arriving on the scene seventeen years ago she immediately changed my world, I had a daughter. I was going to be parenting two boys and one girl. Back in high school I specifically recall a writing assignment that included a prediction: I would have four boys. For some funny reason, I leaned into that thought for many years. Later, I had two boys and thought that I was on that track. So when my third gift arrived I took a hard left into the land of all things girl. I jumped in and along with my two sisters and other friends with girls. I was smitten and thankful. Yes, she took the longest to get into a sleep pattern, but we made it through to the other side (you know what I mean parents in the sleep-training mode). My third gift is a treasure that chooses to keep giving to others and helps them shine like graceful ornaments. Her laughter fills the hallways, car interiors, bunkies and bedrooms of life. Over and over again she faces the day with a smirk and a grin that greets the next moment with grit and determination. At times the grin is bearing down on the unknowns of the day, but I learn from her. Sometimes I see my inadequate parenting in her eyes and facial expressions and know I need to stop, take inventory and make some changes. In the depth of the unknown moments, she chooses to seek others and question the God of creation because she simply wants to know why!

Don’t we all ask why at times? It is part of the journey we are all on, facing the big questions and making personal decisions that reflect a thoughtful pursuit.

Our days are numbered by him, the one who chose us before the foundations of the world, “…all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be (Psalm 139:16- NIV). Her days are written already as our mine. I am blessed to be involved in those days and I want to make the best of the moments. Fall brings the anticipation of change, always does, but I have her here for one more school year before the potential leap into university/college. I want to pursue her and let the days be full of more stories and memories. It certainly won’t be full of perfection, together though we can make 2020-2021 full of creativity and flare. We begin with matching bracelets from the talented Jenn Fenton .