You're a bird with a pretty mouthYou're a bird with songs to shout And the same refrain continues, singing out:

"If you love her let her go." She sings beautiful and slow A tune that only caged birds know

The above song by one of my favorites, Jon Foreman, echoes in my head all the time. Especially when it comes to my daughter, and even sometimes to myself. Because, you see, I'm beginning to realize that my daughter is me. I've wanted her to be different. Gentle. Quiet. Obedient. But instead she is quickly morphing into a smaller version of myself. Complex. Passionate. Wild. Defiant. A Protester. Compassionate. A Lover and a Fighter. And in her most free moments she breaks out into a beautiful dance while moving to her distinct melody playing in her head. In those moments, I want to be her. Let go and just dance to the music in my head. Because this caged bird has her own melody and it will never be heard if I don't break open the door. In learning to let her break out, I am learning to find my way out too. So we learn to fly together.