Beautiful Bella

15 years

a lifetime

a blink of an eye

tiny baby full of life and wonder

held tightly in arms

of a fear stricken teenager

madly in love at first sight

desperate to move mountains

for this beautiful sparkling star

that had fallen into the bleak mediocrity of her world

and so it began

this unfolding adventure

unraveling daily before me

stretching and changing the core of who I am

of who I long to be

opening my eyes to something

greater and bigger than myself

beautiful Bella

forever my gift

my sweet redemption

beautiful Bella

creeping ever so close to the woman you will be

I watch you sleep still

as I did in the beginning

breathing in the crazy reality of who you are

you are ever a mystery to me

a precious unique mystery

a story bound so close to my own

yet so very far out of my control

you twist and turn

in the unsettling waters of adolescence

aching as you discover

the unsavory cruelties of this world

(some of which I myself have carved into your reality)

I cry with you

I hope for you

I believe in you

I dream with you

beautiful Bella

15 years

another blink of an eye

you won't be sleeping under my watch

excitement grows as i imagine

all that you have before you

trusting

in the One who loves you

more than my fragile heart could know

the One who wrote you into my story

and me into yours

my mind wanders to the next adventure

the next road we will walk together

I am heavy with thankfulness

beautiful Bella