"I BELIEVE IN MYSELF!" Francesca uttered those four beautiful, empowering words that every parent longs to hear their children say!
This past weekend, Emilia and Francesca decided they were ready to take the training wheels off of their bicycles. As we walked their bicycles to the bike store, the girls were not only physically protected -- helmets, kneepads, elbow pads and wrist guards, they were armed with a confidence, excitement and the power of possibility. I was filled with pride & joy, and truth be told, a bit of terror! My little babies were growing up!
I will never forget the feeling I felt running behind them lightly holding on to the back of their seats, waiting for them to say, "Okay daddy, you can let go." I worried -- would they fall? Would they get hurt and discouraged? After several failed attempts and close calls, they girls were off and running!
As a single father to Emilia and Francesca, I often feel torn in so many different directions. Trying to balance work, and parenting -- leaves me exhausted and questioning whether I am doing all I can as a parent. Just two weeks away from their 7th birthday, Emilia and Francesca are becoming young girls capable of challenging themselves beyond their perceived limitations. I'm far from perfect, and don't always do the right thing, but I know they know I have their backs literally and figuratively.
Losing the training wheels is a euphemism for so much more in their life. My wish for them as they grow, is they continue to challenge themselves and strive to be the very best that they can be; push outside their comfort zones; and know that daddy will always be there to 'pick them up' when they fall.
My aunt sent me the following quote the other day:
"To accomplish something extraordinary, one must have an extraordinary dream. A goal so high, a journey so demanding, that its achievement to most seems ... impossible."