Pages

Thursday, July 21, 2011

When Your Daughter Turns Sixteen

IMG_0956
This young woman, who used to be my little girl, who before that was my baby...

managed to turn my world upside down.

And not for reasons that might come to mind when associated with the word "teenager".
But rather...
Because she's taught me so much.


I've learned that quiet can lead as effectively as loud,
and watch as people, and when available, chickens, are drawn to her.

She knows that a good hootenanny with her sister is time well spent.
And that it is still fun to twirl until you get so dizzy you can hardly stand.
And then she always has the wisdom to sit.

She has shown us that sometimes it just makes sense to do things 
differently than every one else.
Even if you need to sit down to take that stand.

I've watched as she continues to try and attain new heights in everything she does.
And I no longer worry, as she's proven to us again and again, 
that the bigger the jump... the greater the bounce.

I love that at sixteen she has maintained the heart of her younger self.
She is keeping the child within, close at hand.
And so I get to see glimpses of my little girl... who before that was my baby.

We love to see her sense of humour and love that she can laugh at herself... right along with us : )

She has taught me to accept, even when I don't understand why,  people do what they do.

And when things get a little rocky...
She works hard and continues to work on, even when life gives her a heavy load.

Yet she has the wisdom to let loose and let her hair down, when the time is right.

When your daughter turns sixteen...
You can't help but worry.
You can no longer fix the problems on the playground like you once did.
But here at sixteen, I can see this young woman, 
who used to be my little girl, who before that was my baby...
has the wisdom to work things out on her own.

You see...
She relies on her smarts.
Yet acts with her heart.

chicken
She is a girl who knows not to count her chicks before they hatch.
And that life is much easier to maneuver when wearing a smile.

She has found her inner geek,
and isn't afraid to show the world.
She owns it, and I love her for it.

IMG_0942
This young woman, who used to be my little girl, who before that was my baby...

Is sixteen today.
And I couldn't be more proud of who she has become.

Love you Eldest with all my heart.
Happy Birthday.

xoxo,




Pin It

16 comments:

  1. She is an awesome kid who is the product of an awesome mum (and dad - we'll give him some credit!)

    Happy 16th eldest - the best is yet to come :-)

    ReplyDelete
  2. Awww, your post made me tear up. How blessed you are to have such a wonderful 16 year old in the house, who used to be your little girl and before that your baby.

    ReplyDelete
  3. She is a lovely, lovely young woman.

    Happy birthday to her!

    =)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Don't want to make too much of this, but, er..

    My son is 16, you know.

    Picture forthcoming.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Happy Birthday!

    And it's never too early to begin to pray for our children's marriages.

    ReplyDelete
  6. gorgeous girl and lovely post. my oldest just turned 12 this week! they do grow up so fast!

    ReplyDelete
  7. What a beautiful post!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a lovely post, dana!

    She is so beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  9. So so beautiful, your words and your girl.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Happy Birthday to your sweet girl. 16. Wow. She is stunning. Love this post so much.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Happy Sweet Sixteen to a beautiful young lady, inside and out.

    As the mother of two daughters now in their 20s and a 17-year-old son, I feel exactly as you. Watching these children of ours grow into adulthood is another blessing of parenthood with its own rewards.

    Your images of Eldest are, as always, stunning. I especially like the one where she is squatting outside the fence by the chickens. There's something about the look of contentment on her face that tells me exactly who she is. Her own person. Caring. And happy with life.

    ReplyDelete
  12. wow - mine eldest turned 13 on monday and i've been amazed by how fast it's all gone by - she too was once my baby, but now she teeters on the fulcrum of exactly the things you describe here ... such a beautiful post, dana - happy birthday to her, indeed!

    ReplyDelete
  13. What a beautiful girl, inside and out.
    Happy 16th to your eldest!

    ReplyDelete
  14. A very beautiful young lady! A very happy (and very belated) birthday!

    ReplyDelete
  15. She owns it girl! She absolutely does! And you are one really great Mom! What a beautiful description of a beautiful daughter!
    Well done! Happy Sweet Sixteen!

    ReplyDelete
  16. She has been so blessed to have a wonderful mom to help guide her. What a wonderful tribute.

    ReplyDelete

Comments are like the applause after a show! Yay clapping!