This has been extremely difficult to write. Perhaps it is because my darling little girl is a full grown adult now, and I'm in denial. Maybe it's just that I can't believe she's all growed up now, and I miss my little girl. Maybe I just need to face reality.....
My little Aleah has always been my special girl, ever since I got to help birth her. She has always been a wonderful daughter and a great sister. She is a great friend to have---loyal, considerate, always willing to help others. She is industrious and resourceful. She is smart and adventurous. She has a great sense of humor and is a joy to be around.
I always said that Aleah was my grandmother reincarnated. She always had sound advice--you should wear a hat, you should put on boots---just little things or a certain look. We used to say she was an old soul. Seemed like she always had some sage advice to give.
She was a younger sister, but never took a back seat to her brother. She had to spend a lot of time with him and his friends traveling around to youth sports and whatnot when she was younger, but she never complained. She and her brother were (and still are, as far as I know) best of friends. They have never had a cross word between themselves--kind of weird to me, but what a blessing as a parent.
Aleah learned long ago that she could do anything she wanted to. Whether it was learning to ride a bike or getting elected to student council to becoming a captain on her softball team, to going off to Minnesota for college, she has a way of making things happen. Things may look like they come easily to her, but I know that she works hard at whatever she puts her mind to. She gets things done.
She is not afraid of work. Since she wad sixteen she has had a job or two all the time. I don't think anyone told her to find work, she just did it on her own. I think she did it because she likes to shop. And I don't know anyone, including Mom, who does a better job of finding a deal on things.
Aleah has wonderful friends, and always has. Whether they are kids she grew up with, or high school kids, or her college friends, she has always seemed to hang out with the "right" crowd. I have never worried about where she was going or who she was hanging out with. Again, good choices by her, blessings for the parents.
And finally, she puts up with me. She has had to put up with a lot. Whether it's my funny jokes and comments to her and her friends to dragging her around to sporting events and fairs and what not, she has always been understanding of me. Oh I get an eye roll every once in awhile, and I'm pretty sure I have upset her on more than one occasion, but we've always gotten along well I think.
So happy birthday young lady. I hope that she knows how much I love her and care about her. And how very proud of her I am. She is a wonderful daughter, but an even better person. I miss her dearly when she is not around, and truly cherish our time together. She has been a joy and a pleasure to have around for these past twenty one years--I know she has made my life so much better. She has accomplished so much, and has such a bright future....can't wait to see where it leads...love you darlin'.....
