thankfully, the emergence from the chrysalis is so gradual. there had been days and sometimes years that she had to look to me for the right word or emotion to pull out of the bag. sometimes it was quite overwhelming for her. it is just plain hard to be a little girl.

the sweet emotion in those heavy little shoulders in this photo and the bravery to bury her head when she was overwhelmed still brings a tear to my eye.



when she found her beams, i was so grateful to ride the draft of them. as a mother, there is nothing more gratifying to hold your daughter who has found her own voice, her own feelings and her own thoughts. she can choose her own path and has planned her next four years in high school. *sigh*

butterfly, you make me so proud.