It took me half a day to write this post.  Mainly because I wanted to enjoy the moment.  Julia came into this world looking like me because of the shape of her eyes, Seriously...I was like oh dear Lord she looks just like me...please don't BE just like me.  We as parents don't want our kids to repeat the past life we lived but we do want to be there for the instances we can completely relate to.  
If I tell you the first band I created was called, "Black Diamond" and you remember an original song called "Fade Away", then you have known me for a very long time!!!
My aspirations have changed throughout the years but the same goal has never changed. Live for the day, celebrate life all around you and remind someone they are loved...which is why I do hugs...not handshakes when you meet me!
Everyday Julia reminds me of both Elizabeth and I depending on the circumstance. What I love the most about Julia is watching her grow as an artist (Where I can Relate) and a strong woman with values she won't deter from ...(Like Elizabeth) and the individual person that she is.  Teens can sometimes feel all alone in this crazy world because they think nobody understands the world they are living.  I remember more "NOs" the "Yeses" in life which just lit the fuse even more for me to be the individual I was meant to be.     Every "NO" for me was more ammunition I needed to explode this world into the reality which I saw it.  I see people as equals until proven otherwise.

Watching Julia from a distance allows me to see her kindness to others, her compassion for good and her drive to create from within.  I may not be in high school right now but I can absolutely relate to that urge of wanting more.  Nobody can understand the urge you feel because you OWN it!.  It's your drive for the life you want to experience.

Here is a video of Julia singing for her voice recital just yesterday and when I tell you I see me in her, I See her mom in her and I see Julia as the individual...nobody in the world is just like my Julia. I see the start of her life's journey about to truly begin and I can only assist from time to time because raising her is done.  

Today she is our "Dancing Queen" and you should play the song, clear the floor in your den and sing and dance along with us celebrating youth and new beginnings.  It's not your age that matters...it's learning to celebrate the life you are living!

This video is Julia singing at her Voice Recital yesterday the song, "Gorgeous" which I truly believe she is.  :)