Growing Up Too Soon

I waited to have my children. Wanting to be responsible and ready. Then mother nature took her time too. When I gave birth to Katie it was one of the happiest days of my life. She was an absoulutely beautiful and perfect newborn. No redness no wrinkles. No misshapen head. She was pretty, pink and had tiny rosebud lips. And I knew right from the start she had a will of iron. Just like her Daddy it was her way or the highway. Breast feed? She will turn purple screaming first.

Today she is still a very pretty girl. She is 11 going on 15. All the signs of teenager. Staying on the phone with her girlfriends for hours on end. Having her first crushes on boys. Smart as a whip, she was recently tested at school and exceeded the standards on every level. Is in the advanced classes at school (called the horizons program) And the child still has an iron will. She doesn't take no for an answer and she argues every point. (Budding lawyer perhaps) She is also very responsible and I hope because of the iron will that she will not be adversely influenced by peers.

Recently a total stranger came up and asked me if I was Katie's mother. I somewhat reluctantly said yes not knowing what to expect next. This person went on and on about what a lovely and nice girl she was and what a wonderful job I had done raising her. I wasn't altogether sure they had the right Katie. But it was my daughter they were talking about. And it made me feel proud. (Although I know it could have just as easily gone the other way.)

Well today my pretty baby went on her 1st camping trip on her own with the 4H club. The camp they are going to is called Rock Eagle and it is 2 hours away. There are going to be over 1000 kids there and as a consequence they are not able to call when they get there. They can only call if there is an emergency so I won't know anything until I pick her up on Friday. Cell phones don't work there because the towers are not close enough. I can only trust that the adults are taking care. And even more I can trust the good sense that I know my daughter has.