daughters, friends, siblings & cousins

 i miss her being in our home on a daily basis

listening to the squeeking of her antique bed

& having her come and go at all hours

with her besties whom i adore.

but i love the young adult she's becoming

& i love the world that she calls hers.

all the newness, the fun cute new friends

the ballgames, the classes

her relationship with the Lord that is her own~growing and becoming so dynamic.

i love to hear her convictions and struggles.

to hear how she's overcome issues

& the dreams and desires she has for her future.

yesterday i received an email from the mom of one of her friends.

she wanted me to know what a blessing savannah had been in the life of her own daughter.

i pondered the words she said.

thankful tears filled my eyes.

so much to be proud of in this child of mine.

having her home for a week was a balm to my heart.

some heavy thoughts and fears are banging around in my mind

& being with her was a wonderful distraction and encouragement.

she went with me on several photo sessions.

not to hold the reflector or anything businesslike,

but just to spend time with me.

our week, while busy, was peaceful and not a frenzy.

my decorations are up, a couple weeks later than usual

but the quality time we spent together is a priceless treasure.

while she's usually the social butterfly, she spent much intentional

involved and engaged time with us.

before she left i asked her opinion on something.

the mom leaning on & needing the child.

she laughed and calmed my fears, hugged me and hopped in the car with her sweetie

driving back to her "current home" in athens,

which, while only an hour away, sometimes feels like much more.

one of the sessions from last week

was of a couple my very best friends.

 mother & daughters whom i love dearly

and their cousins.

we captured some senior photos, sibling shots

& a photo of all the grandchildren for their grandparents.

~~~~