Caroline is my niece, and I have known her since she came home with her mother from the hospital, all pink and beautiful. She and my daughter, Katie, were born five weeks apart, and in many ways have been more like sisters than cousins. When our kids were little, my sister Liza and I traded out Friday nights for date nights. We kept their three with our three and then we would swap the following weekend. Our kids have always been close.

Until recently, Caroline has always danced on the team that I lead at our church, 12 Stone. She is a graceful and lovely dancer.

Today she leaves to go to the faraway land of Australia to attend the Hillsongs school of the arts in Sydney. She wants to study dance there and continue to become who God has created her to be. I watch her mom and dad struggle to let her go. My heart breaks with them. She is a shining star in all of our lives and very dearly loved.

Our prayers and hearts are leaving on a plane bound for California tonight and then onto a plane that will eventually land in the land down under.

Sigh. Australia will be a brighter place. We will miss her.