PastorKevinAustin

Yesterday, my daughter Shania had her dance recital at the Clemens Center.  One of the dances, to the song “Cinderella” by Steven Curtis Chapman, included all of the dancers’ Dads.  We all came onto the stage at the appointed time, handed our daughter a rose, gave her a spin, then went down on one knee, with our daughter sitting on the other knee.  We pulled it off, more or less. The song is from a Dad’s point of view, talking about his daughter and lamenting the fact that she is growing up and will all too soon be leaving the nest. As the song goes,

“Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don’t want to miss even one song
‘Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she’ll be gone…”

This song resonates with me and I admit that I was tearing up a little while offstage waiting four our entrance.  As many of you know, Shania came to us when she was 10, in January 2012, and we adopted her that December.  She is now 13 and growing up fast.  I frequently wish that we had experienced more “little girl” time with her.  I do have many fond memories – her first vacation, her first time going to the movies, that too-short period of time when she called me “Daddy”.  The song and the dance were poignant reminders of that bittersweet transition that all Dads go through.

Fortunately, I have come to learn that there is life past the clock striking midnight, thanks to my daughter Katie.  Yes, daughters grow up and leave home.  You miss your little girl, but you gain a young woman.  You miss the word “Daddy” melting your heart, but your heart swells with pride when you see the accomplishments and the character.  God has blessed me with 2 Cinderellas.  I will savor every “song” with both of my daughters and take comfort in the fact that the dance may change, but it goes on.