~ My Daughter Sophie ~

I dedicate this Blog to My Bright Intelligent Daughter Sophie Renee Madden. You were a True Gift from God!   I always knew you were going to do Great Things with your Life!

When I look at you, I will ALWAYS see this little 6 year old in a ballet uniform proudly saying your name loud and clear so everyone could hear you. I still tear up when I think of that day and your First Dance Recital. The hours of listening to you practice your piano lessons and wondering if you truly enjoyed them. The First Day of School, when you said you didn’t need to go cause you would miss me.

The day I told you we were moving to Newburgh, IN and you responded with “Where is that, Why are we moving and why are you doing this to me!”  That day was my worst day ever having to uproot my child once again from her friends and planting her in a small town in Southern Indiana where she would have to start fresh once again. Little did I tell her, I was scared to death also.

Sophie, your 16th Birthday, I still giggle when I think of you getting up and saying, “Ok Mom it’s time to go get the  convertible you promised me.” Boy, was I ever scared that day. Sorry, you didn’t get that little red convertible that day but one day when you are grown and on your own, you will have it.

The day you came in and told me you decided on where you wanted to go to college, that was a scary day since you applied for 5 and I was for sure you would choose to go back to Georgia for college. when you said Valparaiso University in Northern Indiana, I knew right then you had made a choice you would never regret. You knew I  was going to miss you so very much, but knew this was the next chapter of your life and you  had made your decision and there was no changing it.

As I sit here next to you I realize even more today How Much You Have Blessed My Life in Ways You Will Never Know.  I know I tend to get upset with you over decisions you may or not make. They are always short-lived when I look into your eyes and actually see myself in you. The sparkle in your eyes when you tell me of the exciting things that you are learning and doing. The weekend trips to Chicago just to spend the day. Oh how I remember those days when I was your age.

As I sit here today and think of experiences and adventures we have had, I look at you today and I see the fine woman you have turned out to be.  I still can’t believe how well balanced you have turned out and the things you are going to accomplish throughout your life. The experiences you will  experience no matter where you end up. I am  Always Proud of you!!