To Ashley on your 12th Birthday

Today is your 12th Birthday! Yesterday, we celebrated your last year as an 11 year old, and now you will take your first steps in to your 13th year of life. The past 12 years have been bittersweet every step of the way. From the first day of preschool, to your first day of 7th grade you have grown and changed so much. You're now almost 5' 6"! The scared little girl standing in the middle of the playground, shy as anyone can imagine, has blossomed in to a kind, and sincere young lady. Yesterday was the second day of 7th grade, and you came home to tell me about the two new girls at school that you invited to sit with you at lunch. As much as you've changed these past few years, your heart is the one thing that stays constant. Who you are continues to shine through year after year. Ashley will always be the sweet, kind hearted girl from years past.
Your interests have grown from ponies and dolls to phones, sports and boys. One year. Just one year, and here we are watching you transform in to a responsible little lady. You have a passion for writing, and watching your passion grow in to talent is amazing, sweet girl.
Your confidence is up there with the birds, hovering for all to see. In the way you walk, talk, smile and share, I can see the confident young woman beginning to bloom.
Basketball and volleyball are your favorite past times, and you are determined to be the best you can be at each of these. You always have either a basketball or a volleyball in your hands, and if you don't, you're setting laundry, or dribbling anything round. I am SO proud of how hard you work at practice, your determination is an inspiration to not only me, but those around you. Even if you decide to move away from each of these sports someday, I know that these years with them in your life will prove to be a major part of the woman you will someday become. The goals, and self discipline, not to mention the relationships, and self confidence they bring you is certainly a measurable indication of what may come.

To my amazing young lady on her 12th Birthday, I love you. Keep on Keepin on.