happy birthday to my sweet new 14 year old girl...

there are things i want to write
like how 13 has been a test for both of us...
how major milestones have come along...
how things change and waver and the
lines i drew so firmly around you
when you were younger
now seem to be drawn in sand...
they can be erased, they can be moved
i realize now they cannot be set in stone...

not if i want you to grow.

i could write about how hard that part is for me...
the letting you grow part....
how i wish sometimes i could keep you
with me...
laying on the couch in front of me,
happy to be watching big comfy couch
and franklin
with my arm over you...
reassurance for both of us.

but...
at the same time
you amaze me with your tenacity,
your will and ways of thinking...
you are brilliant and creative and funny...
sweet and kind and caring...
you look out for your brother
{though you would pretend not to...}
and you look out for your friends...
you are smart and mature and
i trust you.

what more could i ask?

happy birthday to
my 80's lovin', picnik-addicted, mr noodle-eatin',
horror-movie-junkie, full of wise cracks and
dripping with sarcasm & yet can surprise you
with unexpected sweetness...

i wouldn't change a thing about you.

xo