Saturday, August 21, 2010

Eleven

One more trip around the sun.  Eleven times now.







And I'm finding it hard to write this post.  Hard to find the words.  Hard to put them together.






I mean, how do I adequately express my love for you?  The emotion you evoke.  How do I put into words what and who you are at age eleven?







You may have traveled around the sun once again Sweet Girl, but,  you are like a million suns to me.  A million flaming stars pulling me toward you. 

You never fail to find a way each day to make me pause, even if just for a moment, and think about what a neat girl you are.  It may be your ever present optimism.  Or your creative approach to a problem that I can't seem to solve.  Sometimes it is your gentleness with your sister even when she is annoying you.  Or the fact that you will share what you have selflessly.

Sometimes it is the way you plan ahead.  Other times, the way you dream.  Or when you say something out of the blue that makes me realize you were listening when I thought you weren't. 

Sometimes it is your love for activity and wanting something to do.  Other times it is for your love of quiet and calm.  Or the way you will call out "I love you Mom" in a quiet house more as a means of locating me and making sure I'm still around rather than a declaration of love.



Whatever the reason, it all boils down to you.  Simply you. Amazing you.  Wonderful, wonderful you.






And, you are 4 1/4 inches taller than you were at age ten.  I'm confident that when you start the 6th grade in a few days you will no longer be the shortest girl in the class. And won't that make you happy!





Happy birthday Sweet Girl.  I love you more than a million suns.

-Mom

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

i'm fighting really hard not to cry. beautiful words. beautiful post. beautiful girl. happy birthday from across the ocean.

Luv 2 Kreate said...

Truly beautiful post!

trish said...

my heart is truly touched. :o)
happy birthday!!
sincerely ~ Trish

Artfulife said...

Happy Birthday to a darling 11 year old!!!!

Molly said...

She is beautiful and so are you. Happy birthday to you both.

Jen said...

Happy Birthday! And what a wonderful post! You are such a talented writer!

beth said...

your photos say it all - it is amazing to watch our girls grow up! happy birthday!

dolores said...

Um....sniff.....I think you expressed yourself just fine!

xoxo

Cap Creations said...

Happy birthday! What a sweet post!

Suburban Stitcher said...

Happy birthday to your sweet girl! Absolutely beautiful post :)

Jacque. said...

The love of a mother...equal to none. Beautiful daughter, beautiful tribute. Happy Birthday!

Renna said...

She is a beautiful girl, about to become a woman, child. Judging by your declaration of love to her, she is every bit as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

scottylover said...

Happy birthday to your wonderful daughter! She looks so grown up! Great pics and tribute, Mom.

Mama Said Sew said...

Wow Dana, eleven looks so grown up.

Happy Birthday Boo! :)

Mary on Lake Pulaski said...

Such a lucky girl to have so much love from her mother!
And those eyes................

Stephanie D said...

Beautiful girl, beautiful tribute.

Audrie said...

Beautifully said Dana! Happy birthday to your girl :)

Alice said...

Oh what a beautiful post about a beautiful 11 year old. Happy Birthday!! L,A-

Catherine said...

A lovely birthday tribute to your daughter! My youngest daughter also turns eleven this coming Saturday.....so hard to believe!

sarah, rsm said...

she is the gorgeous daughter of a truly beautiful woman ...

Mom said...

Nicely said sarah, rsm

Pat / Silver Thimble Quilt Co. said...

Happy Birthday sweet girl..and to you mom..I may never recover from this post.

Pat (who has two daughters...every mother knows how you are feeling today.)

Corinnea said...

Isn't it amazing that the feelings you have towards your children that you think can't get stronger, do. Happy b-day to your lovely girl.

CitricSugar said...

Happy Birthday, Little Lady!

Lovely post, Dana.

Unknown said...

Your pictures, and words....beautiful! You are a blessed mama :)

~Caroline~ said...

Happy Birthday!!!

randi said...

oh my gosh, what a beautiful post. happy birthday to your lovely girl!

Elissa said...

She's gorgeous, just like her mama and her mama's photos. ELEVEN! jinkees! sort of glad you have to do that first... you'll teach me all the tricks of the trade someday right? ;-)

Karen said...

What a cutie she is....and, I'll bet that she will be even prettier next year!

Great photos and very touching presentation. sniff-sniff!

susan said...

it is scarry how quickly they grow up. my baby is 33 and my oldest is 41!!!!! now how could that possible happen?!!
such a lovely child.........

wesleyjeanne said...

Dana, I wanted to comment when I saw this on facebook, but I've gotten behind on communication lately.
This is just beautiful--your words, your amazing photography, and especially, your incredible girl.

kirsten said...

Happy Birthday to your gorgeous, gorgeous girl...showing both on her face and through her eyes.

xo

Kim said...

Lovely post.........
your pictures are amazingly wonderful. Love the haircut too :0)

And what a gift our children are and how they change us and make us grow in so many unexpected ways.
It grows strong with every passing year :0).

Have a great school year Dana, your babies are blossoming into beautiful young ladies.

Happy Sewing

amylouwhosews said...

beautiful words for a beautiful girl. It surprised me to see her so much older than just two years ago when I started to read your blog. It's fun to see them grow up through your storytelling and pictures.

Anonymous said...

What a wonderful thing to say to your daughter. She will hold it in her heart forever.