Shauna

Wow...today you are 13 Years old.
A lifetime ago that seems like just yesterday.

I had the honor of watching you grow from first acknowledgement to the beautiful young lady you are today.  I got to hold you when you were first born, and like your father before you are someone who is important in my life.  From your first breath, to your exasperated "Mom!!" at the dinner table.  From your first gas, to last nights gas (LOL) we have triumphed the littlest trials to the grandest battles together, and live to tell the tale into tomorrow.

Little did we know all those years ago, the permanency of the situation! However, despite the drama, the trials and the tribulations of this young life lived...I wouldn't trade you for anything!  Life lessons have been learned, mistakes definitely made...but at the end of the day I know with pride and with love you are my daughter.  Not born of my seed, but you definitely grew in my heart.  No less important than the others (and there are a lot of others).  You have stubborn pride, a laughter that is shared with the craziness of it all, and a smile that can light up the room as we share tales of the days before.  You bring a stubbornness that cannot be tamed, a feeling of woe that is underlying...but you know that you can speak to any of us and be heard. You are loved by many and by all.  You are Shauna, "Naana", daughter, brat, sister, cousin, niece and granddaughter....all rolled into one.

13 years...13 years of laughter, tears, tantrums, adventures and growth.  You are now venturing into the next phase of life known as teenage years....and yes this too we shall overcome!  Together we will walk with our heads held high, knowing despite whatever obstacles...in the end we will have each other, no limits, no boundaries..a family that grew together from and with Love.

Happy Birthday Kid.

Now, just one request please...DO NOT get any taller!