Okay, I have to share some verbiage on this momentous occasion. I am so excited and so depressed all at the same time. Let me explain just a little bit.
I am so excited because my little girl (not so little anymore) has reached a pinnacle of success in her young life that I was too ignorant to follow through on. She has surpassed me in this area in her life and I continue to pray that she surpasses me in many other areas of life as well. She is beginning a new stage in her life and the world is her oyster, as the saying goes. Hope she doesn't get sick on it :) Our relationship will be changing into something more than what it has been for so many years and our conversations will be more like friends than parent/child. Luckily this has been slowly changing to this type of relationship anyway, as she has been maturing beyond her years and continues to do so. I am really looking forward to how God is going to use her to guide and lead younger children. I'm looking forward to her continuing to use the gifts God has given her to praise Him and bring glory to Him.
I am so depressed because she is moving out, to go live with her grandparents. She will not be here everyday for me to love on and laugh with. I won't know all the little details of her life, except what she chooses to share with me. I don't feel like we've shared enough, experienced enough, shared our own troubles and lessons enough with her. I'm not ready for the first pains, losses, let downs, etc. that she will experience without us being right by her side. I pray, I pray, I pray because that's the only thing I know that's left to do. I'm crying out to my God to protect her, guide her, help her through all the times that I know are coming. My heart is breaking because this is my child, my firstborn, the second human being I ever loved more than myself.
Little girl, I love you sooooooo much. There is no way I can describe how much I will miss you. I will always be here for you and you will always be "My Little Girl".
Love,
Dad