A Humbling Milestone

I visited my youngest daughter on Friday. She moved an hour and a half away almost four months ago and this was my first visit. Bad mommy….but with everything that’s been going on here…well, time just got away from me. 

She moved to a very beautiful, well-kept, city which is big on the arts. And her apartment is within walking distance of most of it. 

My daughter, Mattea, is 22 and the youngest of my six. I have felt protective of her. She had a rough start in life and it’s only because of God’s grace that she is here today. I’ve told her numerous times that she is here for a purpose. There is a reason that God gave her a second chance and brought her back to me. I believe there is more than one reason. It’s not just for me. I’m just sure of it. 

Because of her rough beginning, she has had a few obstacles to overcome that the other kids didn’t. But she is a tough one….my Mattea.

After Charlie moved out in 2020, it’s has been just me and Mattea, so it was difficult to see the last one leave my nest. But there’s more to it than her being the last to leave. Because she struggles a little harder in life, I believed that she’d always live with me or near me. I believed she was always going to need me and rely on me to cope in life. 

But this girl knew what she wanted. She packed up, and with great determination, moved away from our little rural town and settled in a very busy place with roundabouts at almost every intersection. 

When I visited, she was beyond excited to show me her place, her town, her new life. She has adapted so extremely well.

I never would have thought…

Not because she isn’t a strong girl, no. It was because I saw firsthand her struggles, frustrations, and disappointments. I thought the world would be especially cruel to her. 

I realize now that even though I protected her out of pure love, I actually stifled her potential. And when the cards fell into place, she proved to me, to the world, that she is quite capable. 

Oh, the world is still cruel but not only to her. And she realizes this. Anyone who lives on this rock knows the challenges of this life. Rather it’s realizing the world is not a respecter of persons where it singles out one person over another. Reality is this world just isn’t heaven so it’s going to be tough for everyone at times. We simply have our own individual challenges to face and conquer. 

My daughter has such a good, pleasing heart. I am remorseful that I didn’t trust her strength and her courage as I should have. I could have opened up her vision instead of supporting her inhibition. But in my defense, it was out of love (although a very nearsighted love) and for a safety net I felt only I could (and needed to) provide. 

I was so happy to see her in her newly discovered element. She glowed while checking off her list of places to show me as we walked through the city. This was a monumental moment for us both; a humbling milestone for me. I’m just so proud of her. 

I’m grateful today for the peace of mind in knowing that she’s gonna be okay. ♥️

Andi