What happened in Paris

She came to visit last week.  On her way back to the U.S., she took a little side trip to Paris.  And, to show you what kind of gal she is ... she took along our Addison ... as her graduation gift to our eldest.

I've been sappy about Addison's leaving.  I've been teary-eyed.  At the airport, I saw all kinds of symbolism as my Addie walked behind the security gates into the main terminal.  I stood there, willing for her to turn around.  She didn't.  She kept her eyes focused on where she needed to go.  She never looked back.  I cried.

The first night she was away, I came into her empty room, sat down on the bed ... and cried.  Her space was a magnet.  It kept pulling me, drawing me into my little girls room.  The whole week I counted the days until she made her way back into her four walls.

When she came back, she gave me a card.  That card, written in the Paris airport while sipping on a Latte at Starbucks (I've taught her well!) did something to me.  As she expressed herself, I got a glimpse of her heart.  Knowing she is ready, excited, scared but willing to fly from this nest gave me new courage.  Something about that silly little note written in Paris shifted a paradigm for me about her.  I said goodbye to a little girl.  She came back a woman.  Of course, the woman has been there all along.  I just got the privilege of seeing the curtain fully pulled open ... revealing a beautiful young woman who is ready to fly ... and I'm ready to cheer her on!