THIRTEEN

This newly-minted teen is blessed with the surety that she holds all the keys to the universe and the stubbornness to try them all in the lock rather than believe anyone who tells her which one opens a particular lock. She is becoming adept at questioning the boundaries before pushing up against them to see if they will hold. Her mouth is still more likely to smile than disrespect. Her eyes more familiar with creasing in laughter than filling with tears; they sparkle with a newly developing sense of self and twinkle with a secret future. Not yet tested or broken, her heart beats to the rhythm of her violin, her flute, or her voice. She is exactly what we hoped she would be wrapped up in all the surprises we didn’t expect. 

Happy Birthday Athena,

your laughter remains the most beautiful music you offer this world.