My Daughter

I remember looking at you as a child, wondering what your future would hold. I wanted to shelter you from unhappiness and surround you only with wonderful things.

I realize now that I could never have done this. For in order to appreciate happiness, you had to have some failures; to feel true love, someone had to break your heart.

I couldn't protect you, but I want you to know I was with you every step of the way.

When I look at you now and see the woman that has emerged from within, I couldn't be more proud.