However, looking at the calendar, I realize my baby is turning 21 on September 11.
HOW
In
THE
WORLD????
You should be this size. Sseriously. You WERE JUST 11.
Mommies out there, please hear me. DO NOT STRESS the small stuff (and it's all small stuff) you turn around 14 times and your snarky pre-teen is a junior at West Point.
Hallie is funny. She will knock you on the floor with her quick wit. She can talk the ears off a chicken. I've told her since she was a kid that she needs to be a lawyer, because she is the most keen negotiator and can usually get exactly what she wants by presenting her case and walking away with the win. :) This is not a fun trait in a kid in middle school and high school, because it's exhausting as a parent, trying to negotiate with a tiny terrorist, however, WOW, what amazing adults they become.
She has a deep empathy and love for people, because of what she experienced with Laynie, what she got to experience when we served on our mission trip to Haiti, she has boundless empathy and love, which makes her the most loyal and faithful of friends. Quick to forgive, quick to love, this girl has endless capacity.
I wish she could see what I see. I wish I could pump all my faith I have in her, into her and she would just KNOW how incredibly awesome she is.
She is flourishing in adversity, and finding her identity outside of volleyball. She left the team last spring, chronically being injured and ill finally taking it's ultimate toll. For someone that had their entire identity wrapped in something, it's been humbling and inspiring to watch her walk the path of finding her true self. She loves Jesus, she loves her family, she loves her friends.
I'm so proud of the beautiful young woman, who is legally an "adult" now, which means all her buddies are going to go with her to the club at West Point, and order her a drink. WHEEEEEEE. However, I'm not even worried, because this girl has her crap together. She can wrestle a man, she can shoot a weapon, she is a tone, fit beast of a girl.
And she's mine. The light of my life, my mid life shocker, that I can't even imagine a life without
my beautiful baby girl....
