Birthday Blessings

Happy Birthday to you, my Darling Daughter. Today you are officially a teenager, though you've looked (and acted!) like one for several months now. Happy, happy 13!

I'm tickled to see how pleased you are about being 13. I remember my own 13th birthday and the excitement that went with it.

You're a fantastic girl, moving quickly towards being a fabulous woman. I see you on the path to being a happy, responsible, caring adult. You're an amazing person and you're going to make such a mark on this world!

I know this is great thing. Yet, my heart breaks a little, for each step you take toward going out in the world feels like a step farther away from me. I know that's the way it is supposed to be. I remember taking those steps away from my own mother, and not thinking twice about it. There's a world out there to be discovered!

Now you, my Darling Daughter, are emerging from your cocoon of childhood, taking these steps away from me, and I realize what my mother went through.

I love you, my Darling Daughter, and I'm so very proud of you!

I just hope you remember to come back to me now and then.

And now, I think I'll go call Grandma.