She....

"She doesn't smile like that for anyone else," my wife said as we sat together looking down at our 2+ month old last night. Karlie was looking at me with an open-mouthed smile. Today each time I glance in her direction, the grin appears - almost a laugh. She moves from boredom or tears to a bright, full-faced smile instantly.


Our older daughter Natalie (in the picture with one of my students), now nine, went shopping with her mom last night to buy her first bras. Ouch. It seems only yesterday that she was laying in my lap, grinning at me each time I looked down into her ice blue eyes. Now those eyes are set in the face of an emerging woman. Where did the time go? Was I faithful to teach her the things she needs to know entering the scary world of adolescence? Am I talking to her enough? Am I giving enough of my time to her? I know my grip and influence on her is waning, and that of her friends is growing stronger.

My wife, still the most beautiful woman in the world, is in her early 40's. She still amazes and wows me. I pray that both Natalie and Karlie are seeking to emulate her, to be the kind of confident, secure woman their mom has become!

During this week leading to Mother's Day I pray we will all seek to put smiles on the faces of the women in our lives - because we can. We each can give them the gifts of our selves, of our admiration. No one else can offer what we can give. I pray I will always be cognizant of speaking my emotions to all of the women in my life. I've gotta run call my mom....