To my wonderful 12 year old....

Hair flying, eyes laughing, long legs and wide smile

Racing, leaping, running, flying

Saving goals with strength and skill

Bounding down mountains on the edge of a snowboard 

Rosy-cheeked confidence; self-assured, strong

(Kick ass karate girl too)

Peace loving ranger already against the next war

Friend to animals, the environment, justice, equality

Willing to go to bat for a cause

To stand up for whatever you believe 

I want to be on your side.

(Just your average superhero)

Big plans, big dreams, big heart.

Deep friendships and loyal sister, daughter, granddaughter, niece 

Writer, poet, speaker, critical thinker

Never change

Paint toenails, curl hair, apply lipstick, wear high heels. Awesome.

These things are good...just not as good as what you already have

Inside.

Rock the world...continue to rock the world

With Kindness. Optimism. Intelligence. Commitment.

And a desire to make the world better

Never stop being you:

Joyous

Radiant 

Fearless

Perfect

You.

Love Mom xox

Edge

"Come on in, jump in," is the chorus from lake-immersed children who have cannonballed  off the rock, while I stand on the edge. What they don't understand is that it is not the leap itself, but rather this moment I wait for: poised between two elements, the sun simultaneously on my back and in the water before me, the juxtaposition between the hot rock and cool water, the feeling of being on the edge of two separate worlds,  holding them both in my hands, weightless and full of possibility.