So...I will admit that I have been a helicopter mom. I've hovered around, always in earshot, so I could make sure that I smooth things over, speak up for Li-Li, or be a support to her. Li-Li had speech therapy for several years, so I had to be her voice. I was always secretly afraid that someone would misunderstand or take advantage of her speech delay. Don't get me wrong, I adored ALL her teachers and felt that they all had her best interest at heart. However, sometimes...stuff happens! I was very protective of my baby, nurturing her, loving her, making sure that no harm would befall her.
However, no matter how much of a helicopter I was, I couldn't keep her from being bullied, ignored, hurt, and overlooked. I was hurt to learn how my child had been mistreated, always after the fact. We dealt with every negative situation and did our best to turn it into something positive. We powered through!
Now, our Li-Li is graduating from high school and will attend the University of Alabama Huntsville. We are so proud of her, but we are most proud that she is independent, beautiful, God-fearing, kind, outspoken (at times when she needs to be), determined, and very intelligent. Our baby has definitely found her voice, and we couldn't be more proud.
How will I let go? With God's help, of course! I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me! I plan to stay busy, focus on writing new books, have fun with my hubby, volunteer with various charities, including Li-Li's non-profit (Blankets of Hope by Maleah and Friends), travel, and continue being active in my sorority, Delta Sigma Theta.
We are super excited for our daughter to begin her career path towards becoming an astronaut one day. You are ALL invited to see Li-Li launch off into space, achieving her dream, one day soon!
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