Wasn't it just yesterday she jabbered at me in a language only her tiny self understood, from her stroller, telling me all about the pretty flowers she saw on our walk down the street?
Wasn't it just yesterday she and Cameron were playing "bomb squat guys", all dressed up in dark green towels and rugs?
Wasn't it just yesterday she attached socks to her head with a headband and played at being a puppy, lapping up water from a bowl on the floor?
Wasn't it just yesterday (at age 2) she asked Cameron if he wanted to play like they were paleontologists? (Thank you, Ms. Frizzle and The Magic School Bus!)
Wasn't it just yesterday that she stood on the little plastic toddler table in a princess dress, her arms raised high over her head, her wobbly high voice singing her favorite praise song "Lord I lift Your Name on High"?
Wasn't it just yesterday I sent her off to kindergarten at the little private school down the road from our house in Dallas, Tx?
Wasn't it just yesterday she cried because she couldn't go to a school anymore where she would learn about Jesus? And wasn't it just yesterday she asked kids on the playground of her new school in Oregon if they knew Jesus? (And her teacher brought her books about the baby Jesus around Christmas time because she knew it would mean a lot to little Katie. Thank you Mrs. Senger, wherever you are today.)
Wasn't it just yesterday she brought home that plaster brontosaurus and the clay wolf she made at school?
Wasn't it just yesterday she and her siblings dug rivers in the mud under the trampoline and floated leaf boats down the streams?
Wasn't it just yesterday that she and her siblings made fairies out of moss and twigs, and made them fairy houses under the big tree in the front yard?
Wasn't it just yesterday that she honored her history by doing her Night of the Notables research and presentation on her ancestor Susan LaFlesche, first Indian woman Doctor?
Wasn't it just yesterday she started playing the oboe and did a good job at it? (Too bad she gave that up! :) )
Wasn't it just yesterday she started playing water polo, a tall gangly thing just learning the ropes?
Wasn't it just yesterday she went on her first trip without her parents - to Japan?!
Wasn't it just yesterday she went to Haiti days before we arrived and helped dig and prepare outdoor facilities for the team that was coming?
Wasn't it just yesterday she....
learned to ride a bike... played soccer... made beautiful art projects... went on her first date with a boy... learned to drive... got her license... went to Romania... went to Prom... came in the door most every day after school with a bright smile and fun news from her day...and oh so many more memories flood my mind today, her graduation day. This last school year has been a year of hard life lessons, adventures in college choosing, huge accomplishments, struggle, growth, pain, joy and everything in between. She graduates today with honors...a valedictorian...an honored athlete... but most importantly, a beloved child of God, a piece of my heart, my precious oldest daughter.
Her future is oh so bright! And though I have some sadness in my heart today as I reflect on all she has been, and who she has been and is in our family, I am excited to see what God does in the next exciting chapter of her life. College! In just a couple of short months, she will be off to Fresno Pacific University where she will play water polo and study to become a math teacher, or a P.E. teacher, or both, or something else. :) God will guide and direct her as she explores the world that lies before her. I love you, Katie girl! You may never understand the impact you have had and I'm sure will continue to have on my life and the lives of all of your family. Daddy and I are blessed and proud to be given the privilege of raising you. You are an amazing young lady!
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