To let my daughter go

"TO LET MY DAUGHTER GO"

So little, in my arms, her first cry,
such a joy!

Happy tears, for years,
at least fourteen,
and then it all became so mean!

What did I do?
What could I have done?
Probably been a better Mom, for one!!

Spoiled her! Yep, that was me,
Maybe trying to make her all I wanted to be.

Shouldn't have been so strict?
Was not strict enough?
Kept telling her to "grow up,"
then she called my bluff!

Grew up too fast, too soon.
What did I want for her?
Oh yeah, the moon.

I look at her,
she's beautiful,
breathtaking
wishing I could begin to appreciate her latest undertaking,
staying clean, not mean,
God, I wish I could ensure her dream!!

I know I have to "let her go,"
be herself!!

Selfish, that's me,
wanting to keep her small and protected,
and just "BE."

But I know the reality of this
 and then I remember her first kiss.
I fell in love, May 17, 1993.
It wasn't the first time for me
But I knew it would be the last,
Oh my God, "Why have the years gone by so fast?"

Crying, tears, gently down my cheeks
because my "little" girl is no more.
She walking "out the door,"
To life - HERS.

God, please give her what she needs,
to avoid the predator who feeds,
upon girls, who like herself,
have people who love her "like nothing else."

Make her strong - body and mind
because she is "one of a kind."

Make me strong - body and mind
because my baby is about to leave me "far behind."

I HAVE TO LET HER GO!

Written by
Titania Brown
in hope, that this poem can somehow ease another parent's pain, and to help make them understand, that what is done, is done, and to keep hoping and praying that our children make the right choices in life.