So often I find myself simply focused on the daily routine of caring for my Avelyn that I forget that each moment is part of a much fuller scheme. It’s easy to think only on the immediate things I hope for her: a good afternoon nap, some time in the sunshine, a healthy dinner, speedy emergence of her latest tooth, and a full night’s rest (chances are slim).Â
But what do I hope for her in the long term? What kind of woman do I pray for her to become?
This is what I hope:
For her to always know she is loved by me and her dad, that nothing she can do will ever take that away.
For her to learn to be kind and empathetic and compassionate to those around her.
For her to love her body for what it is capable of and not be too focused on its imperfections to enjoy the possibilities.
For her to be known and loved by a close and true friend, someone to grow up alongside. Someone to ride bikes with, get ready for school dances with, share secrets with.
For her to meet Jesus.
For her to be confident in herself and not swayed by external pressures.
For her to say no to drug dealers.
For her to find something she is passionate about, whether it’s ballet, swimming, running, bowling, acting, writing, knitting, dirtbiking or square dancing.
For her to laugh often and have joy.
For her to fall in love with a man who will treat her like a queen.
For her to be perseverant and not willing to quit at the first sign of difficulty.
For her to find her own path.
For her to not mind my taking her to the mall sometimes (even if it’s only because she wants my money).
For her to live a long and healthy life.
For her to be who she’s meant to be.
21 Comments
Those are beautiful things to want for her. It is so easy to get lost in the tiny details that we forget the big picture of what we are striving for with our children.
This looks a lot like the list we had for you, Missy. I’d say they have mostly come true. The only one missing is: Make sure she learns not to throw like a girl.
Amen.
awwww…really sweet! i agree with almost all of your list…and since Hudson in a boy…I would have to add that I hope he doesn’t squish too many bugs and eat too much dirt…
Such a great list. Avelyn is very fortunate to have you as a mother.
You’re a great Mommy Amanda. You got me all teary over here :)
You are an amazing gal Amanda in that you reflect yourself as you write your hopes and desires for Avelyn; you sound like a type of daughter-in-law that everyone wishes to have. Lucky Nana. Avelyn is a fortunate little girl to have you clarify what your goals for her are. You are a good Mommy & I say ‘good on you babe’.
What a wonderful prayer for Avelyn. =)
I hear ya, Amanda.
Great post.
Simply beautiful. With you to guide her I’m sure she’ll find all that and more.
Wow…You’re giving me goosebumps over here! What a beautiful prayer.
Your immense love for her is so apparent. This was lovely, indeed.
I add my Amen also.
This is a great post. I wish I could be as well spoken as you are. That was really beautiful!
I don’t know if it’s post-partum hormones but that totally made me cry, Avelyn is lucky to have such a great Mom
That’s beautiful…Many of the same prayers and hopes I have for my own little girl. Blessings!
That’s beautiful.
(And your dad is funny).
I would love to meet her. Not before her time, though!
Jesus? He visits your blog? SWEET!
Anyhow, that was so peotic and beautiful Amanda.
I have a teensy tiny request for you. I switched my blog domain earlier this year and I noticed that you still link to my old blog address. Would it be possible to trouble you to update the link with my new address?
Thanks Amanda!
I just hope that you stick to this:
For her to always know she is loved by me and her dad, that nothing she can do will ever take that away.
And this:
For her to find her own path.
Even if she turns out to be a lesbian Buddhist.
But I love the sentiment! Beautiful sentiment!
I read this often to remind me of why I’m here. To be a strong foundation from which she will leap:
Your children are not your children.
They are the sons and daughters of Life’s longing for itself.
They come through you but not from you,
And though they are with you, yet they belong not to you.
You may give them your love but not your thoughts.
For they have their own thoughts.
You may house their bodies but not their souls,
For their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.
You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you.
For life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday.
You are the bows from which your children as living arrows are sent forth.
The archer sees the mark upon the path of the infinite, and He bends you with His might that His arrows may go swift and far.
Let your bending in the archer’s hand be for gladness;
For even as he loves the arrow that flies, so He loves also the bow that is stable.
This is just lovely.
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