A Dreamy Drive

It was one of those precious moments.  It was just Maddie and I in the car.  A captive audience–at least I’d like to think.  She’s 11, and sometimes time seems short with her.  She’s going to be seeking independence more, and perhaps, her mother less.  So I try, from now, to make the most of our moments alone.

I started asking questions, and this is how it went:

So, do you still want to be a teacher when you grow up?

Well, Mom, I’m planning to get married and have triplets.  I don’t know if teaching pays enough to raise three kids at once.

I bust up laughing.  We both do.  She turns a little pink.

You realize you don’t have much control over having triplets?  That’s a pretty lofty goal.

I know Mom, she says smiling.

Before all that family stuff, I would love to go to Juilliard and become a dancer.

That’s a nice goal, I say.

Yep, but I don’t know if it’s realistic.

You never know, Sweet Maddie.  I’m just glad you have dreams like that.

Me too.  It’s fun.

We reach our destination.  I park and shut off the car.

What are you thinking now, Maddie?

Oh, I just can’t decide if I want to wear your wedding dress, or a strapless mermaid-style dress for my wedding.

I smile and blush now.

Well, we have time.  Lots and lots and lots of time before you have to make that decision.

I know, she says.

The other thing I know for sure.  I want for my husband and I to be very involved in church.  I want to lead worship. And, if our church doesn’t have a kids’ dance team, I want to start one, so other kids can be led in worship.

I wish you could have seen her face light up when she talked about this dream.  It was beautiful.

At that moment in the car, I couldn’t bring myself to say anything back to her.  My eyes were tearing and my lips were quivering.  But here’s what I was thinking:

Maddie, I’m so happy you have made God the center of your dreams.  With Him, all things are possible.  I’m excited to see what He does through you. . .

I’m really excited.