They grow so fast, our little girls.

One minute they're so small, dependent, glued to your side for protection and comfort…

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…the next they're letting go,

passing you up,

ready to face the world on their own.

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It makes you proud.

It makes you wistful.

It makes you feel so, so blessed.

Blog easter-1994

Happy 21st birthday to my baby girl.

Even though a part of me will always remember and ache for that tiny little girl who loved to be carried,

I'm so proud of your independence, your spunk, your perseverence and fire, and the loving heart it all protects.

May God bless you with discomfort
At easy answers, half-truths, and superficial relationships
So that you may live deep within your heart

May God bless you with anger
At injustice, oppression, and exploitation of people,
So that you may work for justice, freedom and peace.

May God bless you with tears
To shed for those who suffer pain, rejection, hunger and war,
So that you may reach out your hand to comfort them and
To turn their pain into joy.

And may God bless you with enough foolishness
To believe that you can make a difference in the world,
So that you can do what other claim cannot be done
To bring justice and kindness to all our children and the poor.

Amen

~Philip Yancey

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22 responses to “They grow so fast…”

  1. lisleman Avatar

    Happy Birthday to your daughter. Those are two nice smiles in that picture.

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  2. Gail Avatar

    It’s so difficult to watch a daughter grow up and away. I miss mine terribly since she moved to Portland. I had to let her go to follow her dream, but mine was crushed. BUT, I do get to visit a neat place once a year. Happy birthday to your beautiful girl!

    Like

  3. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Having mine just an hour away has been tough enough! I don't want to think about where she might end up after school. As you said, at least yours chose a beautiful place! I guess that's all I can hope for, too!

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  4. Lissa @ lafcustomdesigns Avatar

    Congratulations, Mama! Yes, they do grow up so fast. And off to live their lives … and in some cases hardly a backward glance. We’re all here to figure it out though, this thing called life. May she continue to be all you hope she will be. ;->

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  5. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Lissa! As all of us know, it's not a straightforward or easy road, but it can be an exciting and rewarding journey!! I just hope she enjoys it as much as I have… even the bumps!
     

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  6. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you!! She won't let me post any recent pics, but I love the ones like this anyway!

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  7. Suldog Avatar

    What a wonderful prayer! Happy 21st Birthday to your baby girl!

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  8. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you! I think she had a good day (I hope so!)
     

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  9. Jennifer Richardson Avatar

    yes…..a million sweet yeses:)
    oh how I understand that ache
    and that blessing.
    -Jennifer

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  10. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    A mother's curse and blessing!

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  11. pauline Avatar

    Such a beautiful tribute – would that we could all learn from that poem!

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  12. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I keep it posted on my refrigerator – I'm still hoping to learn from it!

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  13. Otto von Münchow Avatar

    It’s one of the wonders of parenthood, how the cute little babies suddenly become grown-ups and leaving the nest. And, yes, it creates a feeling of both pried and melancholia. Happy birthday to your not-so-little-any-more girl.

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  14. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Thank you, Otto! She's taller than I am now and that's still hard to get used to!
     

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  15. ladyfi Avatar

    Awww. what a lovely and loving tribute! Hope she had a wonderful day.

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  16. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I think she did! It included onion rings, brownies and lots of ice cream. How could a day like that be anything but wonderful?

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  17. ds Avatar

    Ah, I know those feelings well; my daughter graduated from college last month. Many thanks for your visit to my blog. I am glad to meet you. Love the prayer/poem.
    Happy birthday to your girl

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  18. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Congratulations to your daughter! I'll pass on the birthday wish to my daughter. Thanks for hopping over!

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  19. Wolf Pascoe Avatar

    It was such a treat to meet your little spitfire, who isn’t so little. Please give her a happy birthday for me.

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  20. beth Avatar

    they do grow so fast….but i soooooo love having adult children 🙂
    happy birthday to your birthday girl !!
    xoxo
    ps…my baby will be 21 in september

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  21. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    Beth, I miss the babies, but I love having adult children, too. And I hear grandparenthood is da bomb! Happy early birthday wishes to your baby!

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  22. Barbara Shallue Avatar

    I'll tell her! No she's not little anymore by a long shot. Sigh.

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