Success

I am inspired by this girl. I see how motivated she is and how she battles the example set for her. Thank heavens for her inner flame. I wish I had been a better mother, and I don't mean that in a poor me type of way, or even in a poor her way. I just mean.... I wish everything would have been easier for her. I know that we are who we are based on what we have experienced, and I SO love who she is. But she worked hard for it. She showed such resilience and courage and love. I love that she is so independent, but not only because it allows me to be who I am. I love it because I know she will succeed without the burden of thinking you can't do it on your own. In a way, her success is mine because she is my daughter. But I'm not riding her coattails. I'm just filled with a sense of joy that won't be quieted. I'm so proud of who she is. I'm so proud that she is who she is by design. All of the lessons that I'm trying to learn in my 40s? She already has them figured out. I was blessed with Erin. I believe that she was chosen for me because I so needed to see how strong we can be all on our own, even when - no, especially when everyone around us is stumbling and scared. I have stumbled so much, and I have cried and been afraid. But she has been strong and smart and sturdy and stable. Determined. Rational. And yet all the while she has shown an amazing balance of compassion and love. How? She is so beautiful. I love her more than any amount of words with which I could fill this space or any other. She is my gift. She is a precious treasure. She is my heart, my mind, my soul, my love, my laughter, my tears, my best decision ever. She is my daughter, a success no matter what any piece of paper says.