One of the hardest aspects of parenting—at least for me—is recognizing and, more importantly, accepting my children’s flaws and weaknesses. And what makes it even more difficult is when I see myself and my own shortcomings in their eyes, particularly my daughter, who is a picture-perfect reflection of me. I thank God for her every day, though, because she is teaching me a critical lesson: In loving her so deeply, I am also learning to love myself, faults and all.
Reflection
Mirrored in your flawless face
A wide-eyed child gold in hue
Fragile, timid, soft
Decades lost as I did thwart her
Exploiting weakness day by day
And denying her the bravery
She harbored silently in gray
Her pride lay beneath the surface
Held prisoner by self-doubt
Until the day God sent an angel
The wise old soul I see in you
Who compelled me to acknowledge her
Blessed faults and imperfections too
Beseeching me to cherish
This precious girl inside my heart
The one reflected back at me
The one I loved right from the start