To My Daughter On Her Graduation Day

"For this child I have prayed and the Lord has granted the desires of my heart."  1 Samuel 1:27

 

To my daughter, Katelyn, on her graduation day:

 I can’t believe we’re finally here.  Having already gone through this once before, I find myself a little better prepared for the emotions of this day, but it’s still hard to believe that you’re graduating today.  Didn’t we just bring you home from the hospital yesterday?  “There are only 940 Saturdays between birth and when they leave for college.  Use them wisely.”  And now those 940 Saturdays are memories.  “You only get 18 summers, 18 birthdays, 18 Christmases.  Make them count.” Those 18 summers, 18 birthdays and 18 Christmases flew by so incredibly fast.  “The days are long, but the years are short.”  That is still so very true.

When I look at you now, I see a beautiful, stubborn, smarter than she realizes young woman, but I also still see that bright-eyed, dark haired little girl who loved her dolls and her mommy.  You’ve always marched to the beat of your own drum.  It’s one of the many things I love about you.  I have also never met a more stubborn kid, which I also love and which also drove me a little crazy and caused more than a few grey hairs.  But I know you can absolutely do anything you set your mind to.  I know because I’ve watched you do it your whole life.  You taught yourself to ride a bicycle just because you wanted to.  You taught yourself how to swim because you saw other kids doing it.  I am fully convinced that you could take over the world if you were so inclined.  Have that same confidence in yourself.  Never doubt what you are capable of achieving if you really try.  You CAN do it, whatever it is.  Go change the world for the better.

I will ask the same thing of you that I did your brother - forgive me for all of the things I did so incredibly wrong.  I messed up A LOT.  And I am so sorry for my shortcomings as a mom.  You deserved the best, but you got me.  Just know I really tried.  I tried to make birthdays and Christmases special.  I tried to make more of your childhood memories happy than sad.  No one could have loved you more.  My hope is that when you look back on those years, you smile and say you had a good childhood with a mom who loved you more than life.  I hope you don’t remember the times I screwed up.  I hope you remember the times I got it right.  I obviously did something right because you are you.  Maybe that’s in spite of me but I hope it’s just a little because of me.

Even though we don’t always see eye to eye, I hope you will always know that I am your biggest fan.  Always have been.  Always will be.  I have reveled in your victories and cried in your defeats.  Not a single second was wasted watching you grow up and do the things you loved.  Every late night driving home from a game, every night spent at a ball field (or a gym depending on the sport), every afternoon spent watching a practice, every hour spent burning DVDs of various games or school events, every trip to the mall or Ulta, every moment spent trying on dresses to find the perfect one – it was all worth it.  And I will miss it.  I will miss watching you do what you love with your friends.  I know you will still do some of these things, but it won’t be exactly the same.  Watching a child, or even a teenager, do something they really love is a special experience.  Thank you for that experience.

I am beyond proud of you and all you’ve accomplished so far.  It hasn’t always been easy, but you’ve done a lot more than you give yourself credit for.  And I know that you will accomplish so much more.  Always try to have a little fun but know that you have to put in the work sometimes to get where you need to be.  I have faith that whatever you do, you will do it well.  Have faith in yourself.  You really can do anything you put your mind to.  There is a world of possibilities before you.  Embrace it.  Take a few chances.  You may fail, but you may not.  You’ll never know until you try.  Don’t be afraid to fail.  Everyone does.  Just make sure you learn from it.  Pick yourself back up and try again.  You will get it if you just keep your focus. Trust your instincts. They will be right 99% of the time.  Just listen to them. MAKE GOOD CHOICES!

I’m sure I will think of a million other things I’ll wish I had written as soon as I post this, but for now I think I’ll end with a few simple words.  CONGRATULATIONS on your high school graduation and I LOVE YOU. 

Mom