17 years ago ...

My oldest daughter is 17 today - June 3 - It does not really seem possible. I was 22 when she was born and I couldn't wait to meet her. I can remember the first time I felt her move like it was yesterday - I was standing in my bedroom in Odessa, TX. I wasn't even sure it was a movement, being a first time mom and all - but I thought it might have been. Then over the next days and weeks it grew stronger and there was no more doubt... It was an amazing feeling to know your child is growing inside of you. I know one thing, all the things I wondered about..."what would he/she be like, etc..." never prepared me for this amazing young woman I am now proud to call my daughter. She is one of the loveliest people I have ever known. She is kind and gracious. She is strong and yet sweet at the same time. She truly learned to find and use her voice in the past year. She has always been a typical older child, in that she was always our very compliant child. She has now learned to speak up for what she needs and feels and takes care of herself in a way she never did before. I am SO proud of the strong young woman she has become. She inspires me to be a better person. I am so grateful to God for giving her to me 17 years ago. I feel very blessed and honored to have been intrusted with her. She is now beginning the steps to go off and start a life of her own. She will be fine, I have no doubt...but what in the world will I do with out her? I know I didn't deserve to be the mom of this fabulous creature. But boy, I am SO glad God saw fit to share her with me anyway! Happy Birthday, Reagan! You are truly a gift!