13

13. You have always wanted to be a teenager. And here you are. My lovely girl is 13 today.

I can not imagine my life without you. The last few months have been hard at times and you lifted me up so often with wise words and a magnificent attitude. You have so much faith that it makes me have more also.

People look at you and see a beautiful girl. But when they look deeper they see a beautiful soul. A girl who never wants to hurt anyone’s feelings, a girl who wants to change the world. A girl so creative she can take takes pieces and make beauty. A girl so talented that she can step on a stage and hold audiences in her hand. A girl whose prayers humble me and make me want to be better. A girl who hugs and giggles and sings and dances every.single.day.

I love you so. I wish I could give you the world. I wish I could take you to every place we ever talk about. We could stand on mountain tops, race in ocean surf, stare down over glittering cities, relax on exotic rivers, wander through woods and jungles, ride camels over the desert, go on an African safari, spit off the Eiffel Tower, shield our eyes from The Greek sun, pick grapes in Italy, explore castles in Wales, stand in awe of the pyramids,see every Broadway play out there, watch penguins at the South Pole, eat chocolate soufflÈs in a little French cafe and so much more!

You have changed me. You have made me understand “I would die for you”. You have brought me closer to God, closer to Nature, made me love learning again, given me so much hope for the future.

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At times I want to hold you down, beg you not to grow up so fast, pick you up and rock you and sing you lullabies. I want you to soar but I am not ready for you to be grown up. People always say how you look older than you are but they don’t know my sweet girl who loves her dolls, loves to color, loves to build fairy houses, and dances in the rain. Who thinks ‘crap’ and ‘butt’ are bad words. Always keep your childlike innocence my baby. It is what will always keep you young at heart.

I am proud of you every day and believe in you more than you will ever know. I just know that one day, I will be somewhere cheering for you, telling everyone around me, “That is MY girl”! I KNOW you have an amazing future. Your life stretches out in front of you like a magical road beckoning you with untold wonders. You can go anywhere, do anything, be anything.

For years people have always said to me, “Keilee is so lucky to have you”. Silly people, don’t they know that I am the LUCKY one? That you have given me everything.

Happy 13th birthday my lovely girl. I love you to Pluto and back my delightful, dreamy, dazzling, ‘dorable, darling, dear to my heart daughter.
Mommy

A daughter is a little girl who grows up to be a friend.î-Author Unknown

12 thoughts on “13”

  1. I’m in tears here too, Karen. These are stunningly beautiful words, and it’s so so clear how much you like your girl (who she is, what she stands for, who & what she stands *up* forówhat a wonderful friend to have), how much you respect her, are excited for her, and how much you adore her. I love this post.

    And the way she spent her birthday? Extraordinary. She’s extraordinary.

    Happy Happy Birthday to Keilee!

  2. Lovely. You two are both beautiful people. I hope Keilee’s year as a 13 year old is wonderful!

  3. I just love you two! You are amazing…both of you:)
    Blessings for a beautiful 2013 full of wonderful memories.

  4. I know I wrote this on IG but wow did the girls and I enjoy following along with your yesterday. It was like we were in the backseat. You and Kei need to know how inspiring it was that she choose to take a day that most people would focus on themselves and look outward and focus on others. Last night before bed, Lilah asked me if she could do the same thing for her 11th birthday!

    Happy birthday!

  5. Aw, this post made me cry. I can just feel the love you have for Keilee. This is so beautiful…all your wishes, dreams, all the things you love and admire about her…THIS is such a gift. Thank you for sharing it and for sharing pieces of yourself and Keilee on your blog. I do hope we get to meet in person one day!

  6. Karen, that was a lovely note to Keilee. She is such a wonderful and amazing child.

    Happy Birthday, Keilee! Amber and I wish you the most perfect of days.

  7. What a beautiful tribute to a beautiful girl! The world is definitely a better place because Keilee and you, too, Karen, have been a part of it! What a blessing and inspiration you have been to me and I’m sure everyone who reads your blog.

    Keilee is such a special young lady– with enormous talent, but more importantly, with an enormous heart. God has great plans for her. I know He does!

    Happy birthday, Kei! May the Lord bless you with many, many more years of love, health and happiness! With His help and the support and love of your awesome mom, you will go far! May your day be as special as you are!

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