My daughter Claire

My daughter Claire will be 16 in July and I have to admit this time of her life scares the hell out of me. I have less and less control which means that I can not protect her from bad decisions she might make or others make. I can not protect her from bad people and the evil they can do. All I do is affirm to her that I love her everyday and tell her she can come to me with any problem. I might be upset but I will never stop loving her and we can deal with anything. I also have told her the following over and over:
1. Do not drink and drive or swim,
2. You can call me any time of the day from any location and I will come for you if you need my help.
3. Make your stand in the parking lot- NEVER get in a car against your will!
4. Don’t go out alone and always tell someone where you are going.
5. Your friends are not you, you can say no to them.
6. Enjoy life while you can!

I found the following in "Here If You Need Me", which sums up my prayers for Claire:
“As a mother I pray for miracles of the most ordinary kind on their behalf: I want their hearts to keep beating. I want them to live. If I could speak one prayer for you, my children, it would be that your hearts would not only beat but grow ever greater in gratitude, that your lives, however long they prove to be and no matter how they end, continue to bring you miracles in abundance.”

I love you Claire