My Smiling Ginger

 Twenty-five years ago today I fell deeply in love and my life has never been the same.  From the moment she entered this planet, my beautiful red-haired daughter has been extraordinary.  Everyone who has ever met her recognizes that she is special; she has an unending curiosity about life and a limitless well of personal energy. 

When she was little she would run off to explore the garden and return with a handful of bugs or plants that she had discovered.  She has always had a special relationship with animals, and she had no fear.  Holding a snake or petting a killer whale was just as likely as cuddling with a puppy or kitten.  The long list of pets she had while growing up sounds more like a zoo than a family household. 

She is never satisfied with second place; whether in school or sports she has always given her very best effort, and her best is pretty incredible.  I can still remember the late nights she stayed up working on a school project to get it just right, or the early morning swim practices I drove her to, just barely awake myself.  She has always been willing to put in the hard work needed for success. 

It is hard to describe how proud I am of the beautiful woman she has become.  When she puts her mind to it, there is nothing she cannot accomplish.  Graduating college, buying a house and soon getting married – its exciting to see all the wonderful things in her life, but she has always been amazing.  I know it sounds trite and over-used, but I can’t believe how quickly the years passed.  This little girl who used to catch butterflies in the backyard now has a home and a backyard of her own. 

My smiling ginger has always owned a big piece of my heart, and she always will.