Atabey Templanza...

Still, there is a certain magic to being a young mother that new found independence can never have. All those questions and unknown theories about parenting were exciting to me then. When I think about the past decade I get a bittersweet feeling...happy to be where I am, but missing the simplicity of those special moments; each time I found out I was pregnant; when I knew I had (another!) girl, wondering at what they would like and hate when they grew up, and who they would date, which fights between us would be the ones we would later look back on and laugh, and those that would leave scars upon our hearts. And now, as I compose this entry Marina (11 years old) sits on the couch, watching music videos in her worn out jeans and too big sweatshirt, asking when I am going to buy her the DVD "The Notebook", a movie she must have! Amanda (15) sitting beside her doing her homework, concentrating on her work, but always ready to lift her head and pay attention to the most important thing in her life: music. Yep, she wants to study music in college and is known around here as THE Drama Queen. Then there is my first born, Ariana (17) who is at work, probably thinking about her boyfriend, her grades, and the car I am in the process of buying for her. So much time has passed so quickly. When I think about being 43, I am grateful for the time I have had with my children. I am grateful for my family. I am grateful for the friends I have made. But, most of all, I am grateful for what is still to come, and await it with open arms.