I Now Have a Teenager. Pray for Me.

Today is my daughter's birthday. She is now 13. Officially a teenager. Although she has been of teenage mind for a while now. It's interesting to me to see my daughter as a teen. As someone who has taught teens for many years I have seen what the next few years may hold. Lots of issues for teenage girls, nowadays. There's always boys too.

I'm not to worried. She is a strong young woman. She has made it through a lot of trials and tribulations. She is compassionate and caring. She roots for the underdog. She is not shy and she has an infectious laugh. Through all of her showings of maturity though, I find those moments when she seems like a little kid again the best. Seeing her watch old episodes of Arthur for instance. Always one of our favorites.

I remember when she was little and she did something that frustrated me or made me mad. I would say to myself, "I can't wait for you to get older." Those days are now upon me. It's funny because now sometimes I catch myself saying, "I wish you were younger again." There's no going back now though. We have entered a next stage in life for my daughter and for me.

I look forward to it. High school is right around the corner and lots of other cool stuff that will one day be memories to look back at and laugh or cry about. So do pray for me. For Us. I don't think it would hurt. Anyway, Happy Birthday Mari. I love you.