Nine months...

i am constantly remembering exactly how i felt one year ago
i was making some of the toughest decisions in my life
i look back and see the puzzle pieces fit together nicely
this time of year, with holidays, and the memories from one year ago
are difficult
i somehow thought i would be "all better"
when in reality
{what is all better}
and i cannot put a time limit on grief
grief is the underlying emotion i am getting to experience
while existing along side the joy
nine months...how can it already be nine months?
nine months...how can nine months have passed by so quickly?

Happy Birthday!

Today my oldest daughter celebrates"Sweet 16" 
Mackenzie is so grown up
she is an amazing friend and such a good example to everyone around her
she does her best and has a huge heart
I am so proud of her
Today is a day I am experiencing with mixed emotions
I see how my adorable little girl has grown into a remarkable young woman
and it brings me great pride
It also presses against my mothers heart to realize how quickly time is passing
and how much less she needs me and I am needed in her life
All too soon she will be wanting to start a family of her own, but I am at peace
knowing she is a wonderful person and has a bright future ahead of her
As hard as life has been and as difficult of experiences as we have had to endure
she is so strong and is grounded in her faith which guides all of her decisions
and for that I am comforted...Sweet 16, how can it possibly be?