I remember how my kissing the little cuts and bruises and placing a bandage, would instantly take the hurt away.  I also remember having to spend countless hours in the emergency room or hospital, wishing so hard that I could take their place and then I would say a prayer......counting my blessings, when each crisis would pass.

I remember the not so terrible twos.  We were extremely fortunate:) and even at such a young age, my Daughters wanting to assert their independence.

I remember attempting to give my Daughters' choices.  One of these choices was to select their own clothes to wear to school.  When they would finally make the selection and show me, I would chuckle a bit and attempt to sway their decision just a little, but when all was said and done....they were sent on their way, with mismatched clothes and shirts worn inside out and backwards  They were so proud of their abilities:)

I remember the trials and tribulations of my Daughters' Teen years, which I aptly named the "separation" years.  This was a time when they felt they knew all the answers, some of which I did not agree with.  I always asked where they were going, with whom and what time they would be home.  They felt I was asking because I didn't trust them.  Oh, but I trusted them implicitly.  It was everyone else that I didn't trust.  There were times  I may have come down a little hard on them, harder than I should have, but Moms are not perfect and I did make my share of mistakes.

I celebrated my Daughters'  triumphs and shared their sadness.  I remember their first loves and a few difficulties that needed to be worked out with a few of their peers.  I wanted so much to protect them from sadness and heartache, but all I could do was listen, lend support and love them.

I remember my Daughters'  first day of school and  glorious Graduation day, when we all breathed a sigh of relief:)

I raised my Daughters to understand the difference between right and wrong and then I prayed.....as all Parents do, that everything would turn out okay.

 My Daughters grew up to be fine, independent and beautiful young women.  They are also Moms and are wonderful role models for their children.   They are experiencing now..... all that I experienced in raising them....with true dedication and commitment.  They now understand the depth of love between a Mother and her children..... when you thought you loved with all the capacity that you have and feel you couldn't love your children any more......you do and that love intensifies with each passing day.

When my Daughters were little, my Mom used to say, "Enjoy them now, because they will grow up in the blink of an eye."  How right she was.  Oh, but sometimes I wish I could be transported back in time for just a little while.  I so enjoyed my Daughters' childhood, but time did pass much too quickly and I wish there could have been some way to slow it down just a bit.  Can you tell that the "letting go" part was the most difficult for me?:)

My role as Mom will never change, because my grown Daughters....in my eyes, will always be my little girls.

If you are a Parent, savor each moment with your children.

Let them be little, cause they're only that way for a while.  Give them hope, give them praise, give them love every day....let them laugh, let them giggle, let them sleep in the middle.....Oh, just let them be little:)

Writing....by Shayna(c) 2004 - Lyrics used, by Lonestar