watching her fly

My sweet Madison Grace

I have to tell you how very very proud you make me

six months ago you came to me and told me you wanted to stop dance

you wanted time to explore other loves

you wanted time to develop friendships

dance was an every day commitment & while you were a beautiful ballerina you were beginning to feel a little hemmed in

i prayed how i could best encourage you

should i encourage you to 'work it out'

or should i encourage you to spread your wings and fly

you have never looked back

you have never mentioned you thought you made a bad decision

you've made new friends and been able to spend time just hanging out...something you seldom had time for

i respect your brave decision to try something new

now after 11 years of wearing these shoes

you'll pick these up

congratulations on making the squad!!!

you will be an awesome cheerleader

you've signed up for tennis lessons --which you loved when you were little--with your 2 best friends

& are wanting to go back to oil painting lessons

while i never want you girls to feel that 'what you do' is what defines 'who you are'....its so fun to watch a new path unfold for you while you discover new adventures

&

by the way

the words you wrote me for mothers day are some of the most beautiful i've ever received

thank you for being my little bird...

what a joy it is to watch you fly

i love you