Blast-off

When oldest was a wee small person who rode on swings and needed a push now and then, dh used to oblige. He had a special, super push - The Blast-Off. "Ready? Steady?" "YES!" Then he'd back up, pull her way up high, and give her a running push with all the energy he could muster, and she'd sail high in the air, laughing all the way. Blast Off!!

We celebrated her graduation Friday night, with a small group of other homeschooling teenagers, all amazing in their own particular ways. I thought of her blasting off with as concentrated a push of love and energy as dh was able to cram into the time we had with him. He put his heart into the kids, care and time and creativity and fun, a big push that I hope carries them all fast and far and high. They're terrific people. He'd be proud. Blast off, my dear girl.

Once when she was about three, we were at the playground. She was playing with another child for a while, then came storming over to me and fumed, "She won't give me a turn holding the invisible dolphin!" Oh, the outrage!

I've watched make her own dolphins now, dolphins and secret agent cats and warrior princesses. She's made music and art and amazing, wonderful stories, and made relationships that sustain her and her friends. Happy 18th birthday, happy graduation, happy springtime, to an amazing young woman.

(Love, Mom)