This is our daughter, Aoife,
who will turn 21 next week.
Aoife is now on the point
of disappearing into the Departures lounge
and I feel helpless.
Our wee girl is about to fly
to the other side of the world
where we can’t be by her side
if anything goes wrong.

I blink back tears
and my heart shoots a silent prayer
to My God,
like a distress flare to the heavens.

The response from My God is immediate
and feels just like a reassuring hug
from a friend.
“Don’t worry, Claire.
You can’t be with Aoife
on the other side of the world
but I can!”

And as Aoife slips out of sight
I feel comforted.
I place my precious girl
into the protective hands of My God
and I pray that, for Aoife,
this great adventure may, indeed,
be a dream come true.

© Claire Murray, 5th August 2016