She tormented her daddy with talks and concrete plans for studying abroad. Finishing her double minor in business and Spanish topped her list while in Seville. She was absolutely determined to be there.
A classmate of Taylor's from UHS, Kathryn, studied abroad in Spain during the fall semester this year. Kathryn brought home a poster size picture of a beautiful, one-thousand year old cathedral she passed every day on the way to class - because it reminded her of Taylor. I followed Kathryn's semester on social media, thankful for every post she made.
We were so frightened to let her go, reluctant to let her go. She would not have been stopped. Spain had called her and she would go. All of that fear seems so empty now.
I am thankful we raised Taylor to chase her dreams with intention, with fearless expectation. I am sure she would have texted and called twenty exuberant times by now. Countless pictures would have flown through cyber space and part of me would be seeing Spain with green eyes that saw beauty in the simple places, in obscure spaces, and in the hearts of others. There would have been art at which she marveled and clothes that she coveted. She would have laughed with her iconic deep laughter at the language she butchered, but she would have learned quickly. She had the best laugh.
So glad we taught to dream and raised her to laugh.
#golighttheworld
"Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer;
from the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tent forever!
Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings."
Psalm 61:1-4