What I Learned from 2014: Part One-“Let It Go”

I realize I am a bit late with this series since some time has passed since the ball dropped and the fireworks have been shot off. In Hawaii, where we have spent the last two weeks, New Year’s Eve is a significant occasional which can only sufficiently be celebrated with an arsenal of fireworks. Or in the case of our kids because I am apparently an over-protective parent a case of “pop its”.

Time away has afforded me the opportunity to sit, to just be. That is not easy for me and many times I felt completely lost because there wasn’t something pressing me to be done. Hopefully this time allowed me to be a space that God could fill and use among those I love. If nothing, I was afforded the opportunity to reflect on the last year and write.

Here is part one in a belated series of “What I learned from 2014”:

Taken at Waimea Bay Beach on the island of Oahu, HI

“Let It Go”

Like most young girls, our daughter is completely obsessed with the movie Frozen. I have found her in deep conversation with strangers (not in an unsafe way lest you judge me for not educating her on the perils of stranger danger) about her passion for the Frozen items she adorns. I have even found that I cannot ask her a real world question without her response somehow coming from an imaginary place inhabited by her best pals, Anna and Elsa. Yes, we acknowledge that because of her we are to blame for feeding the Frozen mania. {You’re welcome, Disney and Kohls}

We wish it were not so. In fact, it drives me absolutely crazy. I swore I wouldn’t have the kid that paraded around in disney graphic tees (or swimsuits for that matter). Ends up my girl refuses to wear anything else.  After many arguments with her and continuous disappointment on my part, I have finally come to a place where I am starting to “Let it Go”.

Although it continues to be a journey, I have reached this place because I realized a few things about myself and about the beautiful girl I dreamed I would one day have. First of all, she doesn’t need to be just like me. I was a tomboy, hated dresses and thought wearing tights felt a bit like being in prison. I loved playing sports and could care less to dress like a princess. But that isn’t her. She is a girly. girl, I tell ya.

She is also just as God created her to be, and I am called to love and affirm that. In fact, I am called to take interest in it. Still a work in progress, for sure. But the truth of the matter is…she won’t be five for long and if she can find joy and escape in the snow of Arendelle, then who am I to squelch it. {My choice just might be more like the sand of Waimea Bay.}

Stay tuned for Part Two of What I Learned from 2014 to be posted hopefully sooner rather than later.