My Girl

My nine year old daughter's world revolves around all things horses. She is fearless and determined and I'm in awe of how capable she is as she gallops around the arena and clears three foot jumps one after the other in complicated combinations without batting an eyelash and adrenaline pumping. Her mindset at this age is far different from mine. My parents instilled the need for predictability and pragmatism into my childhood world and choices. Definition - be fearful and do what's safe - always. 

It has taken me years to see beyond the fear and realize and accomplish that which is exciting, different and new. It has been of the utmost importance to me that I raise a woman of strength, independence, determination who sees challenge in new experiences. Since I can remember, my words to her have been. "You can do anything. Try it". At times, I've had to look away, dig my nails into whatever surface was nearby and bite my lip to keep me from running over, holding her close and guiding her towards the safe and predictable - but then the voices of anxiety past, present and future speak to me in their hushed, reassuring tones to remind me of all the gifts within my little girl waiting to be opened and I take a deep breath and move forward without holding her back. 

She's determined. She's strong. She's cunningly brilliant. She's got a heart of gold the size of the universe and will do great things one day. She already does. She already has.