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Friday, December 30, 2011

Coming of age

My eldest daughter is an adult today, according to provincial definition. Eighteen is old enough to vote, to drink, to buy lottery tickets, and to get a tattoo. In and of themselves, none of those activities are signs of any sort of maturity. As her mother, though I know that she still has some growing up to do, I'm pleased to say that in her race to adulthood, she's turned out to be pretty level-headed. And what more can anyone ask for their child?

What really floors me is that I'm the parent of an adult. My little sweetheart is now a big sweetheart. Where did those eighteen years go?

Chances are, I won't have the opportunity to sing our evening blessing over her tonight, as she and some friends are heading to a pub on Whyte Ave. But I mean the words of that blessing as strongly as ever, perhaps more strongly as she embarks into the unknowns of being an adult:

May the Lord bless you and watch over you, 
May the Lord make his/her face shine upon you and be gracious to you, 
May the Lord look kindly on you, and give you peace. 
Shalom, shalom, shalom,  
shalom, shalom, shalom.
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5 comments:

  1. LaeliDecember 30, 2011 at 7:14 PM

    My boy turned turned 18 last May. It's been interesting. Lots of different feelings! Happy Birthday to your girl!

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  2. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 12:16 AM

    Sigh...

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousDecember 31, 2011 at 5:26 AM

    Happy birthday to your daughter. I hold fast to the hope that you find as much joy and delight in her as an adult as you did when she was a child.

    ReplyDelete
  4. catherooneyDecember 31, 2011 at 11:15 AM

    I'm privileged to watch such a beautiful life unfolding.

    ReplyDelete
  5. NatureGirlDecember 31, 2011 at 5:29 PM

    As you know...I know how you feel! Best wishes in this new chapter of your life...Much love!
    And Happy New Year...

    ReplyDelete

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