12+3=15

I wrote this as she was turning 12...

Remembering the past 12 years...

Today she turns 12.

Where did the time go?

I remember the excitement of her birth, early morning lullabies, reading bedtime stories when she didn't understand, giggles, her first step, her first dress, her first boo-boo, her first sentence (I'm on top of the world!), her first drawing, taking walks to the bus stop to greet Daddy after his day, shaking her head no when we fed her, trips to the playground, running, jumping and always smiling!

I remember when her shoulder was dislocated and the doctor so gently "popped it back in" and I cried. I remember her first day of school and how I cried. I remember leaving her at pa and poo's house and I cried. Shots? I cried. I remember when she met her brother for the first time and she said, "this is my brother, and I love him." Oh, I cried.

Our little "gril." Our sunshine. Our comedian. Our scholar. Our artist. Our talker. Our pet lover. Our "green" girl. Our difference maker.

I am amazed at the young lady she has become and so looking forward to what she is going to be...

Thank You Lord, for giving us such a precious reminder of all that is good in this world.

We Love You Bell.

Happy Birthday.


Now 15. Fifteen. FIFTEEN.

My little girl is 15. And she still is a world changer. She has BIG dreams. BIG PLANS. She believes that she can change the world. Centennial. Harvard. Washington, DC. And BEYOND. She has no fear. She feels no pressure. She works hard. She plays hard. She can still make even the shyest feel at ease.

I tease and say, "I want to be YOU when I grow up, kid." And I do. I want to know how you handle friendships, schoolwork, sports, boys, brother, mom and dad? How do you sleep in on the weekends? How do you color within the lines? How do you color outside the lines? How do you match that color with that color? And that pattern with that? You are confident but not overbearing. You are outgoing but not the center of attention. You are YOU!

I truly cannot comprehend what you have experienced in this short life of yours and as much as I dream, I cannot fathom what is in store for you, daughter. I sit here with tears in my eyes as I see you watching a cartoon, balled up like a cat, still my little girl. But in a blink of an eye, yes, A BLINK OF AN EYE, you have become (sigh) a beautiful young woman.

Happiest of Days to you, Samantha. Thank you for living life to the fullest. Thank you for reaching for your dreams. Thank you for being my daughter.

I love you.