For my fire child. . .

It was over seventeen years ago when you came screaming into the world and changed my life forever. Such a dramatic entry, so fitting for such a dramatic child. You were my first child, and a great first child. Smart, strong and fiercely independent from the get go. You always wanted to do things yourself and your way. You were also a perfectionist, and if you couldn't get it on the first try, then you gave up altogether. That is why you never crawled and went straight to cruising. You tried crawling went backwards and that was that. You were never a momma's girl, never needed coddling and never had separation anxiety. You were happy to have new experiences, meet new people and so you were more than anxious to go to school, to have sleep overs and were annoyed when we worried and tried to protect. You've always been a people person like your Dad. Every play park we were ever at your first order of business was to find a friend and then play. You'd go up and introduce yourself and then play. I still remember that restaurant we were at that you befriended a girl and ended up at this little girls table and then in her family pictures. We were trying to get you out since they were having a giant family reunion but they were so delighted with you that they asked that you stay in the pictures. You were the only white person in their family shots of about 30 people. Years from now they are all probably wondering who you are. You've always been a singer. You sang before you could talk and would always sing in your crib for me. You have always had perfect pitch that would stun anyone who heard you so of course it has not surprised me that you are pursuing vocals now, your dramatic spirit and your passion of course that has always been present leads me completely understand why you are pursuing drama. I was blessed deeply by your presence. You entered our life at a time of profound grief and with your arrival brought profound joy. I do not think that your Dad and I could have dealt with your granddad's death had it not been for your presence that so filled us with love and joy. You were the balm in that wound and you are our continued joy now as we watch you blossom into your own woman. I am blessed that I got to hold you first, that I had all these years with you, that you looked up to me and loved me as deeply as you did. I am blessed that I heard your first song, and also got to sing you your first lullaby. I am blessed that you are my daughter, and that God was gracious enough to entrust me with you. I am blessed that you call me Mom. Still full of fire, passion, music. . . still full of independence. I know you will carve out your own path and be your own woman and own your decisions and I am so deeply proud of you my girl on fire.