I am so very proud of my daughter for so many reasons and today she made me even more proud.  Both of my kids are amazing.  Everyday they do something that really touches me.  Whether my kids make me laugh, make me smile, make me crazy or make me proud, I always look forward to my time with them.

Today my daughter, Mackenzie made me so very proud.  She made the decision last week to have her beautiful hair cut so she could donate it  to "Locks for Love."  I found out last week when she got in the car, after soccer practice and said, "Mom, I am ready to donate my hair to "Locks for Love" and I hear Gadabout does it for you at no charge."  It was that simple, she knew what she wanted to do and she just needed let me know so, I could make an appointment for her after school and take her. 

OMG!!!! She's 11... Okay she will be 12 in March, but still...I know she's growing up.  She has a great head on her shoulders, she is smart, she is kind and she is a good friend, for each of these reasons and so many more, I am proud of her each and everyday.  However, I still see her as my little girl too.  I haven't told her this but; lately I am very conscious of her taking my hand when we walk across the parking lot, to the store or the park.  Oh and I relish in the fact that she still likes to wrap her arms around me and just give me a big hug or cuddles up to me for no apparent reason.  I haven't told her because I don't want to bring attention to it because I don't want it to change.  I want it to continue unsolicited for as long as she chooses.  Mind you, when it stops I will probably bring it to her attention that I miss it but until then...

Anyway...today was the big day, I picked her up from school.  She had comprehensive exams today and we had about 40 minutes betwee nthe time I picked her up and her appointment so, we went out for ice cream.  I must have asked her 2 or 3 times if she still wanted to have her hair cut just because I wanted her to know it was her decision and she could change her mind if she wasn't ready.  No doubt about it, she was ready.  We arrived at the salon, the stylist came and got us, and she took a seat and told the stylist she wanted to have her hair cut so she could donate it to 'Locks for Love.'  The stylist cut and styled her hair and then they walked up to the counter where they placed 4 ponytails, each were 10+ inches of her hair, into an envelope.  Then, she filled out the paperwork for 'Locks of Love' (name, address, phone number) on the form to be sent with her hair.  What a beautiful gift! 

She never ceases to amaze me, today she gave the gift of her hair to a great cause and yet, I feel like the lucky one because everyday she gives me the gift of being the mom of a wonderful young lady.