My daughter turned 9 years old today. Yesterday, she played ukulele in her first music recital. I feel like we have stepped into a time travel, one year she was still my tiny baby, now she is her own tiny person. I am really proud of her. Her life as a whole could have turned out so much differently, and she just makes it seem like every day is a joy to be experienced. Its easy to forget that there were obstacles to overcome seemingly right from the start, that grew as the years progressed and her awareness increased. But I guess that is the thing that makes her so special to me. She makes it look easy without ever letting the outside storms dim her smiling demeanor. She is my hero.
I am glad I have found stable footing in my life so that I enjoy my time with her to the fullest. There are no more risks lurking around every corner or unstable situations putting things in jeopardy anymore. She can just be a kid, one that seemingly has never had a bad day in her entire life. I feel like the changes and resolutions I have come to the past year have allowed me to focus on her happiness and growth. I never want my daughter to ever worry about if I will be there for her if she needs me. Last year during my darkest days, I doubt I would have been able to complete my journey without the love and adoration of my child. If she faced each day with a smile, then that was enough of a reason for me to attempt to do the same, no matter what.
So there she was yesterday, on a stage in front of a lot of strangers, playing an instrument she had only gotten to practice every other weekend on for close to a year. With each note she strummed, it was like a reminder of how beautiful things can turn out if you really want them too.
I feel like the family I have always wanted to have around her is finally growing.
