This post is dedicated to my oldest daughter
Kylie Beth Selstad
On the day she graduates from High School
18 years ago today I was anxiously awaiting the birth of my second child. I hoped for a girl just because I wanted my shot at dressing her up in frilly pink dresses and bows. My pregnancy with Kylie was very difficult and ran the full gamete of emotions. Early on in my pregnancy the doctor said that this baby was going to have serious health problems, ones that would prompt some parents to abort. We had some tests run and the outcomes pointed towards a child with birth defects. The doctor, in a very clinical fashion, suggested an abortion as a possibility should we desire to go that route. My husband and I were very much against such measures and determined to proceed with what the Lord would give us in our baby trusting in His Wisdom and Grace. I went through a multitude of ultrasounds and each time they would point out what seemed to be problems with the development of the fetus. Each time I went in for an ultrasound it was a painful time for us. I grew to dread them. We waited for the time they would say OOPS we were wrong but it always ended the same "we will have to wait until the baby is born to see". So we waited....until July 9th, 1993 the day Kylie Beth came into our lives.
Well today Kylie is a healthy, beautiful woman and God graciously took care of her body and mind as she developed. She is genuinely one of the nicest people you would ever meet. She cares for the needs of others and thinks outside of herself. I am so thankful for the testimony that Kylie has maintained in her years as a high schooler and for her willingness to live for the benefit of others.
5 and a half years ago we sat in our living room and told our children we were moving to China. Needless to say it was a difficult day for the kids and I think it ended up being worse for us as parents watching them struggle with this decision. I can honestly say we almost wondered if it was a good idea after we saw their reaction. Fast forward to five and half years later and it amazes me that it is hard for Kylie to now leave this place she has grown to call home. She is a proficient chopstick user, the family hot and spicy foods eater, linguistically accomplished, open to many cultures, willing to try something strange or new, all grown up woman. I am so thankful for how she tackled the tasks of learning and adjusting to life in China. It is a sad thing that she might cry over leaving and yet, in a strangely parental way, I am pleased to know that she did, in fact, adjust. It is apparent. She took the hard steps of being willing and found a world that she enjoyed and embraced in many ways. We often say she is part Asian.
Yes, as you can tell, I am mighty proud of her today. My heart breaks to not be there to stand up and cheer for her as she receives a little bit of earthly well done. She has studied hard, worked at whatever was put in front of her and was by no means a complainer when things got hard. I wish I was there with her tonight to see her cross this finish line. I am anxious to see how God uses Kylie down the road.
Kylie, I will think of you tonight as you receive your diploma and finish this phase of life. You are moving on to the next thing that He has for you to do. Embrace this change the way you did 5 years ago. Lean on Him to enable you to adjust and handle the things He has for you to do. Serve the Lord your God and follow Him. There is no higher calling and no greater joy. He will direct your paths, just keep your eyes fixed on Him.
I love you
Mom