The cover photo of the ocean was taken in Costa Rica, outside the Andaz Papagayo Resort to be exact. The beauty of the beaches in Costa Rica were absolutely breathtaking. I won a trip for my sales performance for the year prior; all expenses paid for two, plus some really nice gifts throughout the 5 days we were there. Most brought their spouses. Some brought friends. I took my 18 year old daughter.

So why do I write about this? No I’m not trying to shamelessly brag about my accomplishment. I realized something while there. While walking along that very shore with my daughter one evening, feeling slightly sorry for myself that I wasn’t there with my “husband” or at least a significant other, after all I’ve been single for 14 years. (Seriously… that’s a long time.) I realized that this was right where God wanted me to be in that very moment. It was April of my only child’s senior year in high school. In a few months, I would become an empty-nester.

My daughter needed me; more than any man certainly did and more than my need for a man. She needed my full attention. To mope around envious of the other couples, who seemed to be enjoying a second honeymoon, was just plain selfish of me. I often have to tell myself to “get over yourself”. Then I may or may not have to repeat the Serenity Prayer…. I digress… So, one of the absolute truths that I’ve known for the last 18 years is that my daughter depends on me and it is MY responsibility to pour life into her. It is my job to raise her to be able to spread her wings and fly. How high she chooses to fly and where she flies will be highly dependent upon the things I’ve taught her to believe about our Lord and about herself.  That’s no small feat for a parent. Our words and actions build up or tear down the innocent little eyes that watch and listen to us for plus or minus 18 years. With that in mind, I felt content. I was reminded of my present day purpose, to be her mom. So in Costa Rica, while soaking up the sun and zip lining through the jungle, I was once again reassured that God is in control of my unpredictable life and His timing is always perfect.