Daddy's baby

Wow... my "little" girl is 16. My pretty little, curly-headed, three year old is 16. How in the world did that happen?! Yesterday, I was her world. Everywhere I went, there she was... holding my finger as we walked, asking questions as she looked up at me with that precious little smile. Her inquisitiveness was surpassed only by her boundless energy and vivid imagination.
 Today, she is still MY world, but I have dropped somewhat in her world ranking... I smile as I write this, because that's what we Daddy's do... we teach them to drive towards their dreams and goals, which, all the while, drives them away from us a little more each day. One day, hopefully(and sadly at the same time), I will be much further down the list, as she becomes the wonderful adult I know she can be. My dream is for her to be the very best at whatever it is she wants to be... and for her to live that dream where ever she wants to live it. Fighting back the tears as I write that one...the selfish Daddy wants his baby girl to be right here, all the time.... Walking beside me, holding my finger, and smiling at her very proud father as we walk into McDonald's to get her that Happy Meal she's been talking about since she woke up and ran to me from her toddler bed. Dry my eyes...
 I write this today, because this afternoon, she sets sail on a cruise to the Bahamas.... my little girl will be out of the country for the first time... and without her Daddy! I don't worry for her, because she is smart and surrounded by chaperones with the BHS Jazz band. I worry for me..... how much longer before my dream for her, which is for her to live her own dream, comes true? What does a Daddy do when his little girl is all grown up and capable of taking care of herself? Who do I dream for then? Oh Yes! Grandchildren! :)