My future has not been written.  I am here living it and determining what it will be right now.  I can make decisions that will lead to beautiful happiness that burns deep within my soul, radiating and propelling myself through trials.  Or I can make the string of decisions that will lead me to the same place,wondering how to change this life that I am living.  It is a grave responsibility to shape and mold someone else's destiny as well.  But my choices and my life path also guides my children's life paths.  I am not crushed by that knowledge, but empowered by the ability to show them how to be happy.  I love that I have that relationship and influence upon their lives.  I hope that I can guide them and then let their wonderful potential take them past my influence.  They are already so amazingly wonderful.  Sometimes I just sit back and watch.  I smile and beam with the pride that is filling my chest.  Amazing is the only word that I can use and it is not enough.  I am constantly in awe at their strength and their natural goodness.  They are so beyond me and I am so grateful to have even been part of their lives.  I am happily overwhelmed by the opportunity to be their parent, their guide, their supporter, and their friend.  It makes me smile and it makes me proud.  Their potential is great and it is because my potential is great too.  We are looking toward the future with happy thoughts.  But more than that we are living today with happy thoughts.