How could I have been so blind to not see you?

Monday night I was able to see Addison perform at a benefit for the first time since she was cast for the part of Violet in Willy Wonka Jr. She and about 15 others were chosen for this event. They were on stage with leading actors and actresses from Broadway. These are performers from the shows Mary Poppins, West Side Story, Oklahoma, Grease, Legally Blonde, Chicago, etc. The list goes on and on of what these actors and actresses have done.

And there was Addison amongst them singing and dancing. I was floored!! How could this be my child? When she was on stage, her face beamed and her eyes sparkled. Of course, I am partial towards her.....but really, she was great! After the first number, Addison came to center stage and introduced herself. Poised and confident, she told of her hopes and dreams.

I guess that I was amazed because it was a little more than two years ago that she was a broken soul. Addison was struggling in school which influenced her self esteem greatly. Watching this process slowly break down our child did so much more than break our hearts in two. It killed her soul and shook her innocences. I remember telling her teacher, tutor, and learning specialist that I was more concerned with Addison's confidence and self esteem than I was with her academics (I know, I still can't believe I said that.....though I still will stand behind it). It was a trying time for us all.

Changes were made to accommodate Addison. Some of these were intentional. Her new school began to help rebuild Addison to the daughter we knew was buried deep within her......the one that was free and loving. The move to NYC was NOT part of our intentional plan. In fact, I had many sleepless nights about what this move would do to her. But by the grace of God, this change has been one where Addison has blossomed. She has come into her own which has been a joy to watch and learn from.

As I was just listening to a song by Third Day, I heard following lyrics:

"How could I have been so blind to not see you? The more that I look the more I find you've led me to the truth......You opened my eyes and helped me to find.....You took my heart and you changed it with your words of life. You took my eyes and you opened them and you gave me sight."

Even though this song is about a person’s relationship with our Lord, it fits our journey with Addison. She has more than opened our eyes as she has stepped into the person God created her to be. Traveling this long road has taught Addison to be a strong, confident, beautiful soul. Two years ago, I would have never predicted that she would be on a stage singing and dancing with stars from Broadway. But there she was in the spotlight….

... and yes, God does have a funny little way of working things out!