Independence

Today was an interesting day.  Between the hustle and bustle of the everyday, the holiday celebration preparations and a visit from Grandpa my oldest daughter transformed right in front of my eyes.

It was during dinner that the moment really struck me.  She did not want eat what I had made for dinner, protesting that she does not like bean curry (who doesn't like bean curry - yum!).  She asked what else she could have and I asked her what she wanted.  She stated pita and hummus and I replied "feel free to make it yourself".  So...she did.  She went to the fridge and got out the necessary items - with a sense of confidence and flair I might add.  I watched her as she methodically worked through all the steps to prepare her idea of what would make a yummy and satisfying dinner.  I watched her intently at this point, and felt somewhat like time was slowing down, that things were moving in slow motion.  My husband and I looked into each other's eyes and it was as though we were both thinking the same thing - we were thinking back over the last few years to the day she was born.  It all came flooding back, the moment she arrived into the world, crying and full of life, to her first steps, to the first day of school, and now here she was making her own dinner.  She was dressed in a more 'grown-up' style than she typically wears and the sight of her made me stop and want the world to freeze in time. 

I am thankful for her budding independence, how she is displaying more self-confidence and a sense of advocacy in the world.  I am grateful she is growing and changing in a way that is right for her.  I am most of all thankful for her.