Oh Boy! What am I suppose to do......Tia is getting married!

O my goodness! The panic has finally set in as my daughter announces to me, "Mom, I'm moving some of my things this weekend to my new place." See, the lovely lady pictured on the left is my oldest daughter, Tia.  In less than five weeks she is to be married.  While I am happy that she has a wonderful man in her life that has made her feel complete and has brought so much joy to her, there is a little part of me that is a little sad.  Ok, truthfully, I'm in panic mode, I'm sad and crying.  What am I going to do with myself? Both of my girls are leaving.  My youngest is engaged and moving down south soon.....but today is not about her, it's about Tia.

Tia Cherie, I had her name picked out since I was about 14 or 15 years old. I carefully searched out the meaning of her name (Tia means princess in Greek and Cherie means beloved in French).  I always knew one day I would have a daughter.  There is so much I want to say about this special young lady who is one of my pride and joys, but I can't write it all here.

From the time I carried her in my womb I prayed for her, I read to her daily, sang to her and prophesied into her future.  The day Tia was born was one of the happiest days of my life.  I looked at her face and she looked so sweet and innocent like a Cherub.  She became my Angel-face.  My love for her grew day by day. I made a decision to be the best example as a wife, mother and woman I could possibly be.  It has been a joy to raise her and to see her grow up to be the fantastic woman she has become.   Now don't get me wrong she was not the perfect child, but she was mine.  Inspite of a sometimes bumpy journey through life I was determined that my daughter would always have my ear. That no matter what was going on, she could come talk to me about anything. I vowed be her biggest cheerleader in whatever she endeavored to do and to be a fierce protector of my daughter. Most of all, I worked hard as a mom to have a fantastic relationship with both of my girls.

Years ago I made one of the hardest decisions in my life to separate and eventually divorce her dad. I completely changed our lives. At the time I also chose to walk away from God and threw in the towel of ministry.  She grew up being a PK and here I caused upheaval and turmoil by my decisions and taking away the christian lifestyle she knew.  And even though Tia didn't understand, she never judged me. She was a source of inspiration and was my steady rock on days when I was out of my mind.  You can't ask for a better daughter, friend and support.

One of the hardest moments in my life was the day my parents and I dropped her and my youngest daughter off at Del State to begin their freshmen year.  Some days I felt as if I couldn't breathe, inhaling when they were away and exhaling on the days they would come home. I eventually got over it and began to breathe again as I became use to my new life and found things to occupy my time.  During her sophmore year of college I gave my life back to the Lord.  Upon seeing my example and the change in my life she decided to also give her life back to the Lord.  Every weekend she would drive 3 hours from Delaware for service and go back back to school afterwards.  When it was time for her to go back for her third year of school she decided to stay home. Though I was not happy about the decision, I knew God had a plan for her life and who is big enough to fight with God......not me! 


I have watched Tia develop into a precious jewel of God and an awesome worship leader with a heart for God.  What has impressed me most about her walk with God is her faithfullness and refusal to compromise on the standards of holy living.  In so doing even when others were dating she waited on God.  Through tears sometimes of doubt of her worth and questioning if God had someone for her. She remained faithful and waited on God. God heard. God saw.  And God has blessed this vessel of honor with a wonderful young man and on November 12, 2011 a part of her life's dream will be fulfilled.

There is so much I want to say, but, I am going to end by saying, Tia, I love you with my heart, I'm proud of you and know that marriage is another chapter to be written in the story of your life.  I have been so blessed by God that he chose me almost 25 years ago to be your mother.  I will always cherish our relationship. I pray that you and Will have a long loving, blessed and prosperous life together.

Congratulations to Min. Will Lowery and my precious Angel- Min. Tia Gittens!

So with all that has been said, what am I going do?  Pat myself on the back for a job well done, kick back and enjoy life.  The newest chapter of my life is just beginning.....

SELAH!

Means to pause, think about it and give God praise.

HALLELUJAH!