Adult Children

So on Monday, August 13th, my oldest child turned 30. I have taken a few days to digest this and I have figured out that I am NOT old enough to have a daughter who is 30. Only yesterday  I was 30! Thirty years ago....where has the time gone. I picture Crystal the day I brought her home. A tiny baby, only 6 lbs 6 oz. Now she is grown and the mother to a beautiful 10 yr old boy. Oh being a grandmother never really bothered me, but my daughter is now only 8 yrs younger than I was when I became a grandmother. How is it that my daughter is now grown? Where is the baby that I watched excitedly take her first steps, I rocked her gently when she cut her first teeth, and where is that sweet child I walked to kindergarten that very first day, so long ago??

 I am very proud of my daughter. She has grown into an independent successful young woman. A woman who is getting married tomorrow and unfortunately I cannot attend this trip into adulthood. Time, distance and finances exclude a 2000 mile trip for me at this time. My first born child is now a full fledged adult, and I simply cannot wrap my brain around it. Is that because I still have an 8 yr old and an 11 yr old at home? The empty nest feeling never penetrated until this week. Not until I started remembering Crystal as my baby girl. Not until I remembered how little trouble she gave me (although I told her differently growing up). My dark haired , dark eyed beauty has matured into the woman I had always hoped she would, and no I don't take credit for that. Crystal did this on her own. She has her own set of morals and values that she has developed along the way to adulthood. Her trials and errors are hers. She has made her way in this world by sheer hard work.

Crystal, you will always be my baby girl, my first born child. No one , not your brothers, nor your sisters will ever take that away. You have made me proud. You and I have gone on this most amazing, hard, enduring journey together, and we have come out the other side. I am so proud of you! I have always been proud of you and  I will always be proud of you. I am a Mommy.......to an adult. That is something I still have to digest.