Melissa

Radiation therapy starts on Wednesday.  Horray.  At least I can see an end in sight.  20 treatments to go--hopefully this works and wipes out this cancer...I'd like to be Cancer free by my birthday--September 9th.  I'm giving it another month, then, that's it--I am kicking it out of my body.

Today marks the big countdown to Melissa's wedding.  4 more sleeps with my daughter under my roof before she heads out on Friday night with her bridesmaids, maid of honor and other great girlfriends for her bachelorette party and sleep over at the hotel.  I will join them early Saturday morning for the push to get ready for the wedding.

Then, that's it.  She will be married and off on her honeymoon with Jonathan -- to Amsterdam and France.

How did this go by so fast?  I have always said that I wished that she took 2 years to turn a year older.  I have cherished all my time with her and this week I feel like I am desperate to hang onto the moments I have left with her.

A little upset with Jonathan for taking her from me--but I can also completely understand.  She is an amazing woman and I can see why he loves her so much.

It's just so flippin easy.

One of my fondest memories of Melissa was going through a Starbucks Drive Through.  We ordered our drinks, headed somewhere important I am sure.  The Barista handed us our drinks and she leaned out the window--recognizing us she said how much she loved watching our relationship--how amazingly close we are and how much fun it was to watch us.

My daughter--she wasn't something at 23 I was sure I wanted, I actually was sure I didn't want children but Kent changed my mind.

When I got pregnant with her I immediately started praying.  I was amazed how God had changed my hard heart and warmed me to the idea of my baby girl and being a Mom.  By the time the nurse laid Melissa in my arms no Mother could love her daughter more.

Really Melissa redemeemed my prejudice of a Mother-Daughter relationship.  My own mother and I didn't have a relationship--in fact as a small child I remember doing things JUST to irritate her.  I really did hate my mother.  When I was adopted at 13, my new Mother started the redeeming process.  I just new that I couldn't ever be a mother like her--she loved EVERYBODY.  No one was on the outside of the love my Mom had.  She is full of grace and just so noble and honourable.  I wanted to be just like her.  I had a really hard couple years when I first got to their house, I just couldn't imagine why she would love me....I was pretty much unloveable.

Back to Melissa, I appreciate having her in my life so much.  She has brought into my life not just Jonathan, but I have had the opportunity to be Mamma Kim or Jim to so many other kids because of her-- my heart is full of love and the older I get the more I am realizing that I am so grateful and thankful for my daughter.  She continues to teach me so much, stretch me and challenge me.