“Why Are You Looking At Me Like That?”

“ I always find myself staring at my children.

I can’t help it.

From the moment they were born,

I’ve found that I could just stare.

I never thought much about it.

Until today.

Today,

my daughter looked up and caught me.

“Mom,” her eyes narrowed,

zeroing in.

“Why are you looking at me like that?”

I was taken aback,

“Like what?” I wanted to say.

Like,

I can’t believe I created such a beautiful human.

Like,

I’m overwhelmed at how fast you’re growing.

Like,

I’m overjoyed watching your every move.

Like,

I have no clue if I’m doing this right.

Like,

I wish I knew what was going on in your mind.

Like,

I pray you’re happy.

Like,

I hope you know it’s ok if sometimes you aren’t.

Like,

I think you’re doing amazing.

Like,

I wish I knew how to say things so you’d understand.

Like,

I’m so proud of all you are.

Like,

I can’t wait to see all you become.

Like,

you are…

and will always be...

my everything…

But instead,

the only words that came were,

“I’m just looking at You.”

And I think right now,

that’s enough.

I hope that’s enough.

For her to know that I see Her.

Her... in all that she was,

all that she is,

and all that she’ll be.

I look at her ‘like that.’

Like every mother looks at her child.”

(- Raise Her Wild with Mehr Leeds , Artist: Claudia Tremblay)

My daughter, Lana, gets married tomorrow.

I’ll be looking at her……