Happy birthday to the loveliest of daughters….mine! Today she turns 18, and I’m reminded of what I’d say is the best parenting advice I ever heard.
You only get 18 summers.
It’s cliche but the years do fly by and then BOOM(!), it’s over. No longer children. The realization that a chapter of life is over. Which evokes celebration, yes. But also some sad sentimentality. Here’s something I wrote for her in honor of the occasion.
do you remember the [Princess Catherine Alexis] stories I made up for you?
you will soon be off for one more grand adventure as the princess
this time far away, to the big city
funny that some people think Lexington is the big city
seriously, it’s not
and I expect it will never again be your home
you are free and freely you’ll go
out and up and beyond
and like the stories, which I told you when you were so young
you will help people, make things better
that’s what the princess did, if you remember
you are tenacious and if someone asked me your best quality
I would say just that
“she’s tenacious”
bound and determined
you are my sunshine
you have heard me say that hundreds of times
bright and shining
you give me joy
we are in the last of the summers
which is somewhat unsettling, for me
but we can’t go back
wouldn’t want to, actually
because today is your day, eighteen years from the beginning
and you’re where you’re supposed to be
going where you’re supposed to go
and the sun is shining
clarity is the gift you’re given today
to know you’re on the right track
moving with grace
comfort in saying good bye while knowing all will be well
goodbye to the stories, because you don’t need them anymore
hello to who you are, and who you’ll be
with admiration and love I tell you I’m amazed
at your overcoming and ability to adapt
I await
excitedly
knowing I will be a part, always, of you
wishes for a happy day, and even happier days ahead
Upon a Sunny Day 