My Ciera Nichole..
Lordy, Lordy, she has been something else..lol
I first met her when she had just turned 6 years old. When I started dating her daddy.
This little girl had the biggest smile ever! A big time daddy’s girl. In the beginning, I had no idea that Trav actually had full custody of her, so I figured I could handle the every other wkend and occasional holidays. But, nope! We had her all the time. Lol
Ciera, has such a joy for life. She accepted me with no problems, but wanted to be loving with hugs and kisses all the time, but I did not grow up with that type of affection, so it was awkward for me. I learned quickly how to fake it till I made it. After a year of dating, Trav and I got married. Ciera was the only one there for that, and she giggled thru the entire thing. Right after we said the “I Do’s” she asked me if she could call me mommy?!
So here I am, 17 years old, pregnant with twins, and a mother to a 7 year old. Many days, I wondered what the heck my husband was thinking. Many days, I wondered how my dad made it look so easy!
But, my heart broke for this little girl. At the age of 7 she had been thru so much, and I knew that it was going to be my job, to love this little girl like she was my very own. I knew there was going to be tough days, but the good days, always out weighed the tough ones. So I sucked it up, and did the things, I had only wished my mom would have done for me. I let her get many brushes stuck in my curly hair. I played store with her, so she could learn how to count money. I was the home room mother, and stayed up late when Ciera volunteered me to make lasagna for the entire class. I took her to those early morning basketball games, and dance classes, and softball games. After a couple of years of playing this part, I realized that it became a natural thing. And that I had fallen madly in love with this little girl. Instead of playing the part, I learned that it was an honor to be her “mother”. I have to admit, there were times I forgot she was not from me. We NEVER referred to her as the step child, she was never treated like a step child. We always said the only steps in our home were the front porch ones.
So, life flew by quickly! We stayed busy, living life, and being a family. We made it thru the pre-teen years just fine. We barely made it thru the teen years, and ugh the high school days were brutal, lol and now she is an adult.
Almost 16 years later, here we are.
Ciera Nichole!! We MADE it! Whoohoo!
I thank God with all my heart for bringing you into my life. I spent many prayers, begging God not to allow me to fail you, or to screw you up.
It has been quite the honor to call you my daughter. I may not have given birth to you, but I see a lot of my qualities instilled in you. From the “go to hell” look, to the “don’t mess with me or I will kick you butt” attitude.
You have some of the same passions as me, and it brings me much pleasure that I was there for the many first that you experienced.
To watch you grow into such an amazing young women, who is feisty, yet loving.
Who is stubborn, but yet giving.
To hurt when you were hurting, to be there to pick you up, when you had to learn a lesson for yourself.
To be excited when you met your goals.
To keep from screaming on the outside like I was on the inside, when I wanted to cause some boys some physical harm for hurting my baby.
To being your biggest cheerleader!
I am so proud of who you are today! And I look forward to all that God has planned for you. Cause no matter what you choose; I know you are going to be absolutely amazing!
