Birthday

On your 13th birthday, my precious daughter, I have so many wishes.

I wish for you to have a razor-sharp "mean girl" detector, and for you to use it early and often.

I wish for the universe to shine down on you in brilliant, kaleidoscopic bursts of luck, leaving rock solid friendships in its wake.

I wish that those same friends will withstand the test of time. And age. And distance.

Oh, how I wish this for you.

I wish for you to have delicious belly butterflies as you experience your first crush. I wish for you to fly straight into my arms when you learn why they call it that.

I wish for you to be savvy enough to know what dangers await you, without testing them.

I wish for you to value wisdom over beauty, and kindness over power.

I wish for you to discover who you are, and then stay true to that amazing person -- come hell or high water.

I wish for you to suffer enough bumps in the road to give you strength and character. But I wish you not a single pothole.

I wish you and your sisters shared secrets and tears and laughter and fears.

I wish for you to create a perfectly imperfect family of your own.  

I wish for you to achieve all of the lofty, extraordinary goals you have already set for yourself at this tender age.

I wish you could have stayed 4 forever.

I wish for you to always like your parents. (This is my wish list.)

I wish for you to enjoy the journey of growing into the beautiful young woman you are destined to become.

I wish you every last drop of happiness this world has to offer.

I wish with all of my heart that all of your wishes come true.