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