"You" she says, without a second thought. 
That caught me off guard, just a bit. I don't consider myself worthy of the "hero" title. I am just a woman (with great curves of course) attempting to make the best of life given the path I am traveling. The path is not well traveled. There are trees, rocks, bodies of water to cross now and again, but I have made it thus far without too much difficulty.
OH, and I take the occasional side road - honestly, what is life without taking a little adventure off the beaten path?
Regardless of all that I do, I never think of myself as being anything or doing anything special.
There are times when I wish I could see life through her eyes - the person I am, the path that she sees, the obstacles' that we continually overcome.
Tuesday we went to the orthodontist as the Diva finally had her expander installed. For me, this entire process is stressful. Two weeks ago the device broke as they were attempting to put it in her mouth. This time the device went in smoothly but now requires me to put a tiny rod in a tiny hole in the top of her mouth and push back to expand her pallet. I am tense. I do not want to do this. I do not know that I can do this (though I will).
The Diva thinks very little about this - her comment afterward was, "They used blueberry flavored glue. I hate blueberries!" Throughout the process she giggled and laughed. There were numerous kids n the back but she was the only one talking - probably entertaining everyone. She isn't worried, in the slightest that I will not be able to push the little thing to expand the device. She trusts me implicitly.
She has been anticipating her "blue butterfly retainer" for months even though she won't receive it until March. She anticipates wearing it at night... because she will be like me (who wears a mouth guard to protect my teeth from grinding - see, I am so not perfect)
She, although with different passions and desires, loves to be like me.
What she doesn't realize is that she, amazingly enough, is my hero and has been for many years.
She has fire and passion and the courage to follow her dreams. She is kind at heart and willing to offer herself and share with others - nearly always seeing the best in them immediately. She rock climbs and loves it where I can't imagine trying such a sport. I am right there to cheer for her.
She needs time and information, but once she has the two - she tackles life with everything she has. A laid back child she is not. She is easy going, but very intense. She lives with passion.
When we do hit those obstacles' on our path, she approaches them with complete confidence that we, she and I, will beat the odds, defeat the obstacles', and we might even have fun doing it.
One day I hope to be all that she believes me to be; I hope that she won't be disappointed when she discovers that I am, in reality, human.
But, I do believe, she will always be my hero.
In my daughter's eyes I am a hero
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
I am strong and wise and I know no fear
But the truth is plain to see
She was sent to rescue me
I see who I wanna be
In my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes everyone is equal
Darkness turns to light and the
world is at peace
This miracle God gave to me gives me
strength when I am weak
I find reason to believe
In my daughter's eyes
And when she wraps her hand
around my finger
Oh it puts a smile in my heart
Everything becomes a little clearer
I realize what life is all about
It's hangin' on when your heart
has had enough
It's giving more when you feel like giving up
I've seen the light
It's in my daughter's eyes
In my daughter's eyes I can see the future
A reflection of who I am and what will be
Though she'll grow and someday leave
Maybe raise a family
When I'm gone I hope you see how happy
she made me
For I'll be there
In my daughter's eyes
Martina Mcbride - In My Daughter's Eyes
19 comments:
What a lovely tribute! Does your daughter know about this blog?
Kenneth - She doesn't know about it. She is just 7. But I do use it as a means of writing things to/about her so that when she is older, she can have them - a kind of journal or scrapbook.
I love that song. I gave it to my daughter. She always calls me her hero. Still. At 22. And she's still the one who saves me.
I also sent it to my new granddaughter's mother for mother's day. She loved it.
Daughters are really something.
Is that a pic of the Diva at the infamous pool? I like the photoshop'age :)
I have two heroes, my parents. Like the Diva, when someone asks who my heroes are or who I look up to the most - they get the same answer. I look up to the both of them because of where they have come from, what they have done, their nature, thoughts, ideals, and the overall sense of love and care they have shown me and others around me.
With time I am sure that the Diva will come to realize she is your hero. With my parents - although not specifically said it has been expressed through love, support, hearing them talk about me and my sister with a sense of pride. Something that I have seen in their eyes, heard in their words, felt with their hugs.
She will come to realize it without even seeing this here blog, I am sure of it.
Teri - They are "something!" ;) It sounds as if you have a good relationship with yours. That is what I want with mine when she grows into an adult.
Scotty - Sounds like your parents are pretty amazing. What is their story?
That is a picture of the Diva - it is hard to find a picture that can be changed and yet still maintain some of its personality. I did post a real picture of her a few months back. I love photo shop!
I hope that she will know!
The study actually found that, surprisingly, most kids do say that their parents are their heroes. Mothers received slightly more votes than did fathers. Celebrities did not fair well at all.
What a great feeling to have your child tell you that. Funny that I was thinking of that Martina song while reading this post ;-)
Are you sure she didn't get these qualities from you? I imagine you were much like she is at that same age, no?
We become larger then life in the eyes of others when love glosses over our faults.
You should feel proud that someone sees you that way. It helps us attain the image.
Michael C - I have only heard the song once but it brought tears to my eyes. In my case, with her, I could truly relate. When the study was on the radio - I just had to write the post.
Aaron - No, I was not like her in many ways. Sure, we are similar, but she is outgoing, generous, and truly kind. I had younger brother so sharing was not a priority! She is nearly in a constant state of motion - more energy than anyone in the family. She is one of a kind!
Croaker - Being larger than life is scary! It is hard to live up to such a perception.
I like knowing that she knows I am not perfect - just as I know she isn't... and we love each other and enjoy one another's company all the more.
Yikes! SOMEONE sent me the link to your animal body! Wow! What a babe! Even I have the hots for you!
Now you're my hero!
Teri - My link? Animal body? Me? ;)
(Someone is in trouble!)
Thanks for this post. As a father I love it. Also love the song by Martina.
Having said that, there is one I think applies just as much. Jamie O'Neal sang a song Somebody's Hero
Hope you enjoy.
TAG
She's never pulled anyone from a burning building
She's never rocked Central Park to a half a million fans, screaming out her name
She's never hit a shot to win the game
She's never left her footprints on the moon
She's never made a solo hot air balloon ride, around the world,
No, she's just your everyday average girl (but)
She's somebody's hero
A hero to her baby with a skinned up knee
A little kiss is all she needs
The keeper of the cheerios
The voice that brings Snow White to life
Bedtime stories every night
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero
She didn't get a check every week like a nine-to fiver
But she's been a waiter, and a cook and a taxi driver
For twenty years, there at home, until the day her girl was grown
Giving all her love to her was her life's ambition
But now her baby's movin' on, and she'll soon be missin' her
But not today, those are tears of joy runnin' down her face
She's somebody's hero
A hero to her daughter in her wedding dress
She gave her wings to leave the nest
It hurts to let her baby go down the aisle she walks right by
Looks back into her mother's eyes
And that smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero
Thirty years have flown right past
Her daughters' starin' at all the photographs
Of her mother, and she wishes she could be like that
Oh, but she already is
She's somebody's hero
A hero to her mother in a rockin' chair
She runs a brush through her silver hair
The envy of the nursing home
She drops by every afternoon
Feeds her mama with a spoon
And that smile lets her know
Her mother's smile lets her know
She's somebody's hero
Their story... that would make a great post :) To follow..
TAG - That is a great song. I will have to find a file to hear it. Thanks.
Scotty - I was hoping you would say that! ;)
The way you write about your daughter and your relationship with her melts my heart. You are both so very fortunate to have each other and to have such a strong bond. I would argue she gets many of her best qualities from you, from the upbringing that you are giving her and from how much love and support you give her.
Ruby - Thanks. Sometimes it is nice to hear such comments. You made my Friday that much brighter!
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