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I will always love you

By Me | June 23, 2007

If I should stay
I would only be in your way
So I’ll go but I know
I’ll think of you every step of the way

Gina, this one is for you.

From the moment of your birth, even before that, you were always my (relatively) easy baby. We had our differences and we’ve gone round the bend a few times about a few things that, looking back, don’t seem all that important right now. Because now I can say truthfully that I have always been thankful for you. You are just the kind of kid that makes a mom feel like she’s doing something right.

That’s been especially true these last four years. Without even realizing it, you have taken charge of your life, quietly and without fuss. You’ve made your own choices about pretty much everything from what kind of styles you’d wear to what kinds of friends you’d have to what kinds of classes you’d take and where you’d go to college.

Some of those choices have been smarter than others, of course, but I did my best not to interfere because I knew you needed the practice. Life is a series of choices and the sooner one gets into the habit of making those choice for themselves, the better.

Today, you graduate from high school and you put it well when you said you are going from taking a series of small steps to taking your first big leap. I’m still struggling to find words to describe how I feel today.

Yes, there’s a little bit of pain, the kind of pain you feel when someone you love goes away. And there’s a little bit of fear because I don’t know what kinds of trials your life is going to present you with and because I’m your mom and I don’t want my little girl to get hurt - even though I know that getting hurt is part of life.

But I also feel a very great sense of joy because I have a lot of faith in you. I know that you will be able to handle whatever life throws at you. You are bright and beautiful and fun and loving. Sure, you’re not perfect but … I think you’re ready.

If I have one wish for you, my darling, it is that you will gain the confidence you need to know yourself for the amazing young woman that you are and that you will use that confidence to be all that I know you can become. If you choose to do that, you can blaze as bright as any star in the galaxy.

I love you. I am more proud of you than I can ever say.

I hope life treats you kind
And I hope you have all you dream of
And I wish you joy and happiness
But above all this, I wish you love

Topics: Girl People |

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