Madeline Becomes Independent...

Well as far as I am concerned, when she left the womb, Madeline was clamoring to do everything by herself. Madeline is the perfect first child. She and I have always had an other worldly bond...literally. Not only does she have every quality that I lack, but admire, but she is crazy gorgeous too. I must confess, that there never was a cuter newborn on this planet than her. A perfectly round head, and little button nose were just too much for a first time mother to take in.
11 years ago, I should have known this day would come. Not only was that girl in a hurry to learn how to walk and talk, but to do everything by herself. The fact of the matter is, she does it better than me. Organization, responsibility, rule keeping, leadership, brains, artistic talent...she has it all. We have always pinned Madeline as a famous lawyer or judge. So when the chance for her to go to Washington DC on a leadership retreat, we didn't care if we had to beg, borrow or steal, she was going to get this chance. My Madeline is definitely excited to go. Mom, on the other hand, is a little nervous. Part of me tells myself that she is so capable that she will shine. Part of me still thinks she needs to hold my hand to cross the street.....sigh.... But in all reality, she really isn't mine....she is her Father's child and I just get the honor of helping to raise her.
So as she travels to Capital Hill, Supreme Court, and dines at a foreign embassy, travels to Jamestown and Williamsburg, War memorials, Holocaust Museum, National Cemetery, Smithsonian Air and Space Museum, spends the day in Washington DC at various sights and ends with a cruise on the Potomac, I will remember that she is not just mine. God has a great work for her to accomplish in this life. Madeline Leigh Carter is going places....better get out of her way!