...Melissa. My oldest daughter. In Sophomore English the students received extra credit if the parents wrote a something to tell the teacher about their student. This is what I wrote. It still describes her best.
She Grew
Too fast and so soon.
From little toes and long dark curls, to tight blue jeans and midriff tops.
She grew.
She always liked dressing up, and always liked to play restaurant.
She ran with other girls her age, and tore the knees of jeans.
She grew.
I was afraid, for awhile, that the growing up would be the growing away; and for a time it seemed that way. But I have found a beautiful friend, a lovely young woman with whom I enjoy spending time.
She has a beautiful voice. She sings with abandon and with joy. She takes the gifts of God and brings comfort to the aches of this world.
I watch as she takes in all that the world has to offer and sorts and sifts and mines the gold and the jewels and that which is precious and doesn't let herself be taken in by that which is fake and fading. I cry as her heart breaks and thank God that her dreams never fade.
I am impressed that so often her first thought is not of herself but of others. That she seems not to take her blessings for granted, but instead seeks to bless those she holds close to her heart. She has an endless well of cheerfulness.
She stands now, with the world so large and all the possibilities before her and she does not tremble and seems not to be afraid. She knows who she is and knows where she belongs and at the same time does not profess to know it all.
She grew.
In faith.
In beauty.
In love.
In hope.
In peace.
In wisdom.
In self-control.
In my heart.
She grew.
Comments (16)
Beautiful writing, beautiful daughter!
Posted by Mary-Heather | July 6, 2006 6:32 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 18:32
*Teary* So beautiful -- both Melissa and the words!
Posted by Kathy | July 6, 2006 7:25 PM
Posted on July 6, 2006 19:25
Just beautiful in its simplicity and sentiment.
Posted by Carole | July 7, 2006 6:00 AM
Posted on July 7, 2006 06:00
So sweet. She is such a cute girl!
Posted by Gracie | July 7, 2006 8:36 AM
Posted on July 7, 2006 08:36
What an absolutely beautiful girl and what a tribute to you BOTH!!!! Sounds like you are very lucky to have each other!!! Both truly blessed!!
Posted by Crazy For Yarn | July 7, 2006 10:17 AM
Posted on July 7, 2006 10:17
Aaaaw.... I'm all teary eyed now. She is beautiful Leah!
Posted by amanda | July 7, 2006 10:49 AM
Posted on July 7, 2006 10:49
Wow, that's beautiful!
Posted by Jen | July 7, 2006 12:39 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 12:39
That is just beautiful Leah! And your daughter is a knock-out!
Posted by Karen | July 7, 2006 1:13 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 13:13
I'm not normally a weepy sort 'o gal, but that one pretty much did me in. Beautifully written. Excuse me, now I have to go call my mom...
Posted by Sheepish Annie | July 7, 2006 1:33 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 13:33
Your daughter is beautiful, and your writing is wonderful! Thanks for sharing with us. I give you an A+++++++!
Posted by Becky | July 7, 2006 2:29 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 14:29
Thanks for sharing that with us. What a beautiful portrait of your daughter.
Posted by Casey | July 7, 2006 4:43 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 16:43
what a wonderful daughter - and such a lovely tribute to her.
Isn't it a joy how our daughters become our friends. there is nothing more special.
Posted by Teyani | July 7, 2006 8:21 PM
Posted on July 7, 2006 20:21
First of all, that is just lovely. What a nice thing for her to have years from now -- it will mean so much to her.
Second of all, SHE gets extra credit for YOUR work? What about all the students whose parents are so much less talented, insightful, and dedicated? Hardly seems fair. :)
Posted by Rachel | July 9, 2006 7:56 AM
Posted on July 9, 2006 07:56
Ahh Leah. How beautiful. I wish my mother felt that way about me. I'm so envious of your relationship with your daughter. Except that I have a wonderful relationship with my daughters. Congratulations to you both. And thank you for sharing this beautiful and touching writing. I'm sure her instructor was quite overwhelmed.
And about the "lost reader". Wow I'm glad I'm not the only one that does that. A while back I lost about 10 readers in a very short span of time. I wanted to feel devastated but logic told me it's not a big deal. If you lost only one, think of what it might have been - maybe a knitalong or gift exchange that is now over and they cleared the bloglines list to prepare for the next round? That's what I like to attribute it to. I'm sure you didn't really lose a reader. :)
Posted by Laura | July 9, 2006 9:19 AM
Posted on July 9, 2006 09:19
Oh my gosh you have me teary!! So beautiful - what you wrote is amazing...your daughter sounds lovely and the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
Posted by Esther | July 11, 2006 2:06 PM
Posted on July 11, 2006 14:06
This is a wonderful touching post. Your daughter and your words are so beautiful. Got here via Stoned Knitter, great blog!
BFN, G
Posted by Veggies,Yarns & Tails | July 20, 2006 7:45 AM
Posted on July 20, 2006 07:45