WHEN YOU GROW UP

I have many prayers for you, Lauren. I'm finally starting to think again about you growing up. When you were in the hospital, your dad prayed for you to grow up, fall in love, walk down the aisle and have your own little babies. I prayed for you to make it to the next day. It was scary to ask for too much because I didn't want to be disappointed.

With the progress you are making at doctors' appointments and at home, there are some days when I don't even think about your heart, and I just think about your future.

When you grow up, I hope that you become a wife so that you can know love that remains.
When you grow up, I hope that you become a teacher so that you can share what you know with others.
When you grow up, I hope that you become a doctor so that you can help others like people have helped you.
When you grow up, I hope that you become a writer so that you can say things that change people's lives.
When you grow up, I hope that you become an artist so that you bring beauty into the world.
When you grow up, I hope that you become a dancer so that you can feel free.
When you grow up, I hope that you become a missionary so that you can serve others.
When you grow up, I hope that you become a mom so that you can feel that rush of love when they place your baby on your chest.

When you grow up....


In the end, when you grow up, I hope that you have the one thing that everyone noticed in you when you were born: contentment. That is a word that people have constantly used to describe you and that is my biggest prayer for you when you grow up. Beauty will be fleeting, money will come and go, and your health isn't guaranteed. My dear Lauren, whatever you become, wherever life takes you, if you are content, you will love life in a way that will make it full and complete. Don't constantly look for more, love what you have.

Thank you for teaching me that.

Praise the Lord that we can even think about you growing up.