Ever since we moved to Milton 9 months ago my daughter Marissa has felt a little uneasy about spending the night away from home. Moving can be hard for the best of us and for a twelve year old, well… I cannot even imagine.
Recently her school was planning a 5 night camp that each of the students was to attend. The knowledge of this invoked much anxiety for Marissa and we had many talks in which I attempted to encourage her. At one point I asked her to think about some things that might help her through a lonely night away from home.
One morning I found her writing in bed and asked what she was up to. She said, “I’m having a moment of hope mom,” and she handed me a list that read like this.
Hope
- Think about how grateful I am for all I have (family).
- Think about how other people do harder things, and how I am stronger than I think I am.
- Think how it is only 5 days of my life.
- Think about how proud I will be of myself and how proud others will be of me.
- Think about all of my friends and how much fun I am going to have.
- Think about how God is always right by my side and I can always talk to Him…Song: Savior Keep Saving Me.
I am in awe of this beautiful redhead woman of courage who I am so very proud to call my daughter.
Those girls of yours are something special (they must get it from their parents!).
Hopefully this summer Marissa will have a sleepover here with Cadey, who’s very excited by the prospect.