A Beautiful Ache

 

Today I turned my beautiful daughter over to the Lord. I fully expect Him to take good care of her. I'm counting on Him to comfort her tonight when she cries, to soothe her heart when she's lonely. I know He is going to use her sweetness to bless others, her testimony to teach others and her loving heart to change others.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

But tonight I'm not just missing the lovely daughter I left in a crowd of cheering and happy missionaries...

I'm also missing the skinny baby who looked so breakable her dad was afraid to hold her.

I'm missing the little girl who made her dad and me work super hard for her smiles, but would laugh the second Bruce said, "Boo." Every single time.

I'm thinking about the responsible six-year-old who cleaned house, took care of her little sister and nursed me when I was on bedrest with Joe.

I miss the good student who never put off an assignment.

I miss the baker who could always be persuaded to make cookies.

I miss the girl who always pitched in to help without being asked and NEVER let me work while she sat.

I miss the repentant little girl who would cry in her bed because she'd lost her temper hours earlier and felt so bad about it. 

I miss the perfectionist who held her books carefully so she wouldn't crack the spine.

I miss the girl who hasn't missed a day of reading her scriptures in more than six years.

I'm missing Savannah's best friend. 

I'm missing the bear hugs, the smiles, and the silly dances. 

The thought of her crying tonight in her bed levels me but the thought of the lives she's going to touch and the woman she's becoming picks me back up.

I love you, Veronica. God bless you!