| "Why are you here on this planet?" | | | | to be hugged. But I can't. I have to grow up and be |
| That is the question I asked my daughter Mackenzie | | | | strong." |
| when she was seven years old. I was shocked by | | | | As I hear those words I mourn for that young girl |
| her deep immediate response. She said, "So people | | | | inside of me. She had such pain separating. There |
| can watch me and learn." | | | | was a part of her that wanted to be a cuddly little |
| I asked, "Do you mean to be a teacher?" | | | | kid and then there was a side of her that felt she |
| "No," was her reply. | | | | had to grow up. As a result, she separated from the |
| "Do you mean to be an example?" | | | | little inner child in every aspect of her life. She pushed |
| "Yes," she said. "I am here to be an example. I am | | | | the little girl she had been down so deep that she |
| here so people can watch me and learn." | | | | forgot her. She no longer loved and acknowledged |
| Those were probably the most profound words | | | | the little kid inside of her. |
| Mackenzie has ever spoken. Like I mentioned so | | | | Now as I watch Mackenzie I am once again so |
| many times in my book, "Message Sent," she is a | | | | thankful for the gift that she is showing me. I realize |
| great teacher for me. By her example, I see and | | | | that the sadness I feel is not really about Mackenzie |
| learn more about myself each and every day. | | | | separating from me. It is the separation I created |
| Mackenzie is almost twelve now and is separating | | | | within myself a very long time ago. I never allowed |
| from her dad and me. My spirit says this is normal, | | | | myself to FEEL the emotions of it all. |
| but my ego says, "Wait! Hold on! I miss you. You | | | | I know that I have judged Mackenzie at times during |
| can't grow up quite so fast. I love you and don"t | | | | this separation process. Now I realize that the |
| want to let you go." | | | | feelings I have been projecting onto her are ones |
| If you have ever had children, you know how painful | | | | from the past. But because I am allowing myself to |
| this separation process can be. You feel as if a part | | | | feel everything and am telling that pre-teen girl inside |
| of your heart is ripping out. That's why you want to | | | | of me that she is accepted and loved for the |
| control it. But because I know that everything is a | | | | separation process she went through years ago, I no |
| reflection to me, I have to go within and see what | | | | longer need to control Mackenzie. |
| Mackenzie's spirit is showing me. | | | | I am so thankful for this gift and for the many more |
| I imagine myself as a girl Mackenzie's age and ask her | | | | I know will come. Mackenzie has reflected me as a |
| what is this sadness she is feeling. I am surprised by | | | | little child. Now I guess it's time to see the teenager. |
| the answer. Terri, the pre-teen within me says, "I | | | | Oh, boy! This ought to be fun!!! |
| miss the little girl that I was. I am so torn. I just want | | | | |