bridge crossing daughters

As mentioned in a previous post, this mom was taken by surprise when her firstborn baby girl decided to begin growing up. We have been gently navigating our way through the aisles of training bras and deodorant.

Still a child in outlook and imagination, our AbbySue is braving these edges of puberty like a pro.

Part of me wanted to believe that if I just put it off, she would stop all of this silly "changing into a young lady" nonsense. But, alas, nature cannot be denied and I have a full blown blossoming daughter on my hands.

What to do, what to do?

Cry into my pillow like a baby...(yep, did that)...

then suck it up and embrace the beauty of it all.

A dear friend of mine, who also has a "bridge crossing daughter" under their roof, loaned me a lovely little book called Gentle Passages by Robin Jones Gunn. What struck me most as I read was the way the author involved her love and experience as a woman and a mother into commemorating her daughter becoming a woman. She made it special.

Although our AbbySue hasn't yet crossed over into womanhood, this book encouraged me to be involved and help guide her, hand in hand, along the way.

So, last week I told AbbySue that I had a special day planned on Saturday, for just the two of us. I put together a little gift and we drove up to the Mt. Angel Abbey, found my favorite stone bench over looking our beautiful Willamette Valley, and shared with her my heart about the changes ahead and what a gift God has given us when He created us as women.

She listened, wide eyed, leaning in, catching every word, like I was letting her in on a very special secret.

At that moment I was so grateful for the opportunity to share this moment together. I realized how wrong I was to try taking a back seat to her growing up. 

She understands that I'm here for her...always. 

The rest of our day was spent sharing a trip to Bridgeport Village, enjoying hamburgers and frozen yogurt, all the while talking together, and (me) answering questions that she now felt comfortable enough to ask.

The day was a gift...to both of our hearts.

I'm guessing that our stone bench up at the Abbey will be occupied by another little daughter in the not too distant future.

And I will be a little less afraid.

At the Abbey with my AbbySue