Period

On Sunday, it will have been 23 years since I gave birth to our daughter.  We were not married at the time and the situation and timing were less than ideal.  I was a single mom for a while and we all struggled. 
That said, I thnk being a mom then was easier than being a mom today.  When she was little, I was the center of her universe and I was right in my decisions, actions and advice.  Now?  Not so much. 
Then we did not have a huge amount of choice in what we could or could not do.  Now, the choices and actions are no longer mine.
Would I go back?   Nope, nope, nope.  Not for a minute.
Do I despair now?  Nope, nope, nope.  It is differerent.  The hard thing is having to be quiet.  To not offer unsolicited advice. To watch a mistake being made and know the call will come in the middle of the night "Mom?  What do I do?"  And then have to help pick up pieces. Throw into the mix a grandson that is the apple of my eye.
Was I this way at 23?  Probably.  Something that ticks me off even more.
Hell, there are probably days a  almost 50 I am that way.  My folks are probably watching a shaking their heads.
What it comes down to is this.  Twentythree years ago, I looked at my newborn daughter and promised I would do everything needed for her and more.
No regrets.
I love her.  Period.