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Grateful for a 12 Year Old Girl

Twelve years ago on October 22, I got to be the mother of an adorable baby girl. She is still adorable and I cannot believe that she has hit that milestone. It has been on my mind since January when we attended New Beginnings, a Young Women's meeting to introduce the girls who will be 12 that year and give a basic plan for the year.   

I have had mixed feelings about this birthday. She graduated from Primary, received her "Faith In God" award, can babysit, thinks she is old enough to wear mascara, plays basketball, is funny, responsible, on the student council at Thunder Ridge Elementary, and just super awesome. It is fun to talk to her. We have more "mature" conversations. Her circle of friends is growing and it is fun to watch them grow up as well. Some of them I have known for almost as long as I have known her, others are new. She is on the quiet side and is not part of most of the drama that goes on among some of the other girls--hooray! She has had her share of hurt feelings, but overall she is not in the thick of things.

Overall I am excited to see what the future holds for her as she continues to grow up. I do, however reminisce with fondness of her child and babyhood and realize with some heartache that there is no going back. I new mantra that I repeat to myself whenever I am feeling melancholy about our ever changing lives is, "Don't be sad it is over, be glad it happened." It gives me a forward thinking perspective and gratitude that the past good times did happen.

I am grateful I get to be her mother. I am grateful for the things she teaches me. She perseveres and truly exemplifies the ability to do "hard things." I am grateful for all that she has learned. I am grateful for her blooming testimony that she expressed today when she wrote in M&M's the words, "Come Unto Christ." She was home from school sick today and she used her Halloween treat to make that declaration then cheerfully shared it with me. I am grateful for the influence of her Primary and school teachers, her grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. I am grateful that I get to include her in my month of gratitude posts!

Happy 12th Birthday, Emma! (belated)

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