YOU MADE ME A MOM

Tuesday was my oldest daughter's birthday. She turned 14. FOURTEEN.

I remember what I was like when I was 14. I was nothing like my daughter.

It's interesting to look at your child and wonder, how did you turn out this way? Not in a bad way. Camryn is truly an incredible kid. Sure every kid has their qualms, but she is every parent's dream when it comes to manageability.

I would describe Camryn as a focused individual. She sets a goal for herself, and she works towards achieving it. Whether it's improving her social grade or wanting to accomplish a certain dance move, she's determined.

A few years ago, she and I were in the basement doing some stretching, and a little yoga. At this time, Camryn seemed to turn away from most anything that required some effort. She wasn't lazy per se but she wasn't keen on spending too much time with me exercising. As she walked away that day, I recall her saying she wanted to do the splits. I secretly laughed to myself because she, at the time, was about 2.5 feet from the ground when she was trying to do the splits. It wasn't that I didn't think she could, I wasn't sure she would. But over the next couple of years, she worked diligently on her goal. She wasn't vocal about it until she came to me and said, "I can do the splits."

I realize now, she hones her skills in private, to perform when the time is ready. Nearly every day, you can find her in the basement dancing. Practising ballet, lyrical jazz or contemporary. As I said, she's focused.

I also admire how Camryn has managed difficult life experiences. The loss of a loved one and the divorce of her parents. These are difficult things to work through, and yet she seems to have come out the other end, well adjusted and very grounded. It's been fascinating to watch her grow and evolve.

Lately, I find her wanting to engage in more adult-like conversations. She doesn’t want to be off playing with the kids anymore, she wants to be part of what the grown-ups are doing. She wants to know about the world, what’s going on and maybe how she fits into it all. I admire her because she’s so much more grown-up than I was at her age.

Over the Christmas holidays, my girls and I spent a couple of days at a friend's cabin. My friend also has daughters but they're a few years younger than mine. In the past, when we've gotten together, Camryn gravitated towards the kids. It's where she spent her time. To be honest, it's what I expected on this trip as well. Not this time. She wanted to be with me and my friend. She wanted to hang with the adults and not the kids. It's the first time I noticed such a shift. She's really growing up.

Happy birthday beautiful girl. Thanks for choosing me to be your mama.

Shannon, The Herdmother