Emma turns 21

Sept 6, 2019

Emma has stepped beyond my constant touch. She left my daily schedule and constant awareness.  But she has not left my constant love and care. She is in my thoughts throughout my day and she is always in my prayers.

My "milkcup" girl is now lactose intolerant. She drinks her coffee black. She is a thrifter and is always wearing a second-hand treasure. Emma is happiest using her hands making beautiful things. Lately she has taught herself beading, making earrings and other jewelry. Emma has also turned into a plant lover and has filled her apartment with pots of growing lovelies. She talks of someday having a small cottage, surrounded by plants, growing things and making things. She tells me only a little of her life, but I love the glimpses. She is a dreamer and is at point where roads are being chosen.

Emma wants to take a break from higher ed. Her original path of becoming an Art Therapist is going to be back burnered, at least for now.  She may look for a job that will pay for her Masters program and she may look into doing research. In the mean time she'll find a job. I told her that she does not need to stake her identity on her job. It is ok to just have "a job" that makes all of the other things possible. Her vocation may not be career centered but may be the life outside of paid work. Emma is incredibly responsible and frugal and realistic about her budget so I know she will find something that makes the rest possible. She has gifts and was made for a purpose.

We weren't able to get together on her birthday, because she had plans to hang out with friends and visit a few bars. I was delighted to hear that all of the middle school squad, came from their perspective colleges to celebrate with her and her roommates. I love that her 6th grade friends are still in her life. When she told me about it later, she said she was happy because both the middle school squad and the college roommates commented to her, that they liked her other friends. She was telling me this as we had dinner with the family at La Palapa's. I got snippets of her story amid the chaos of the table and sips of margarita.

A Sister Birthday Snuggle

Cheers to Emma on her 21st Birthday!