My husband and I recently took our two-year-old daughter and five-month-old son on a short family hike. Pre-kids, we had been on this trail countless times. But trekking alongside my daughter gave me a new perspective as I rediscovered it through her two-year-old eyes.
I couldn’t help but reflect and see the hike in a new light. From our preparation to our arrival at the top, each step along the way became a glimpse of the girl and woman I dream she becomes, and the pieces of knowledge I hope she will carry with her.
At the beginning of the hike she was completely self-assured, boldly placing one foot in front of the other without hesitation or difficulty, greeting a biker here and there with uninterrupted focus on the road ahead.
In that moment, I thought:
May she always confront life with such self-possession, tenacity, and grace.
Every now and then, I would catch her pausing, turning around, and staring at the distance behind her, admiring the beautiful view of green.
In those moments, I thought:
May she always remember to marvel at the beauty of God’s creation.
The tire-marked terrain became pitted and increasingly uneven, the dirt looser. When she felt herself slipping, her instincts kicked into gear and her little hand would reach for mine to steady herself.
In that moment, I thought:
May she always know that her dad and I will be there to steady her as she finds her footing in this uncertain world.
At one point, my hand wasn’t enough to steady her and she fell. After a brief pause and a glance down at her dirty hands, she brushed them off and got back up ready to continue walking.
In that moment, I thought:
May she always maintain the resilience to get back up, dust herself off, and try again.
As the hill became steeper, I heard her little voice say, “Ah up,” signaling that she needed to be picked up. Gauging her own abilities against the mounting climb, she knew it was time to ask for help.
In that moment, I thought:
May she always have the discernment and confidence to seek assistance when she needs it.
We finally made it to the top where she insisted on getting down to briefly appreciate her accomplishment. She treated herself with big gulps from a mini water bottle.
In that moment, I thought:
May she always take the time to humbly celebrate her accomplishments with the knowledge that she did not arrive at her success alone.
Though the hike was short, its varied landscape aptly symbolized the life that lies ahead of both our children, a life filled with challenges and triumphs, setbacks and joys.
And as they navigate this life,
may they always know that their dad and I will be their tireless guides and champions, celebrating the people that they are.
that is the most beautiful awesome group of statements that are filled with so much love, dignity, compassion and integrity you have given to a little girl….so very beautifully said it tugged at my heart…..may you always have the ability to see her in eyes of love and patience, through trials in her life that you stand tall along side her….beautiful Katie, absolutely beautiful
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