How to regard you,
My 34-years' descendant?
Girl-daughter?
Friend-Woman?
Mutual confidant?
Loving mother of "my" granddaughters?
Exemplar of the grace and beauty in our family?

All these, and more, are true,
And I must search for more words
To tell you of
Your unique place in my life.

I see you as a fellow warrior,
Fully engaged with life,
Setting goals, taking risks,
With jutted jaw and dangerous eye,
Daring the world to thwart you.

You accept defeats more gracefully now;
You have learned that, yes,
Life is not fair.

But, you are undaunted,
Stronger with each passing year,
With each success and set-back.

I have told you that, six years from now,
When you reach forty years,
I can even now see you,
The grand woman of that time.

You will have earned that grandeur.

And I see it coupled, elegantly,
With the true humility that
Comes with the strength,
And the self-knowledge
You are gathering.

Our paths separated for a while,
And I now feel blessed
To share the Warrior's Path with you;
And someday I'll tire, and rest, and
Wave you on your warrior's way
As you carry my spirit with you.

02/01/2002

Posted on 02/01/2002
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