Sarah's Farwell

The Dixons are always looking for an excuse to have a party and today, we did it up right.  Gregory and Danielle came up from Stedman, NC.  Granny and Papa made the trip from Pilot Mountain, NC.  Tiffany and Sarah joined Greg, Taylor and me at our house in Wake Forest, NC and we had a celebration.  What was the occassion?  Sarah's farewell, of course!  She'll be joining her husband, Ryan Larsen, in Leesville, LA in a few weeks.

We had lots of good food and a fun time was had by ALL.  Let's see, we had an embarassing display of steak and chicken on the grill and all the southern fixins to go along with it.  We played corn hole and danced to Wii Dance II. The whole day was most enjoyable. 

Taylor braided Sarah's hair while we were outside playing.  As I watched them, my mind went back many years, as if it were yesterday, thinking about when Sarah was little.  I would braid her thick, auburn hair.  It seems like she should still be that little.  It was at that point of my day that I began to reflect about my role as a mom.

Gosh, I thought about all those precious years of raising Sarah.  The happy times, the sad times, the times we argued, the times she thought I knew nothing, the times we laughed and the times we cried.  It is a wonderful blessing being a mother. 

Today, we celebrate Sarah's farewell.  It's hard to believe I just said "celebrate."  "Celebrate" is a term of happiness, right?   Well, today is bitter-sweet for me.  My heart breaks, my eyes tear as I think about my baby leaving.  However, I am so proud of her and the woman she has become.  There is comfort in knowing that I have been blessed to have her as my daughter and she will always be mine.  I am happy for her as she and Ryan begin their "happily ever after."

Best wishes from all our family as we send you off to Leesville, LA into the loving arms of your new hubby. 

We love you, Sarah!!!