Sweet 16!!!

Blessings upon blessings have poured out on me during my somewhat short life. I cannot claim to know the world, or of anything in it, yet I have been gifted with life on which to embark. I stand now two feet from the doorway, that daring, forceful, venturesome entry into the new world: the world of adults. For now, I remain a child, (and in all truth, probably always will). But the simplicity of childhood has not kept me so ignorant as to be blind to my blessings. Today I was given two gifts that were especially remarkable. One was reminder to never forget the past, the other a glimpse into the future. My four year-old sister gave me the former. It was a dancing ring, with ribbons attached. It actually didn't belong to her, but my mom. I enjoyed unwrapping the paper she had taken such pains to tape, and layer, but even more so the gift that carried a meaning far greater than she ever meant it too. It was a reminder that I will never be to old to dance, wear BRIGHT colors, and express myself. A reminder that the dress-up of preschool becomes inspiration for the future. A note, declaring passionately, yet without words, that I am yet a child. The other gift was a card from my parents, one my dad had picked out. It wasn't cute or funny like usual. It didn't sport cookie monster, a constant joke of the past. It was elegant in every way. Inside was inscribed a poem with the words "amaze","resilient", and "respect more every day" underlined. To me, it was not so much a view of my current character, but what through Christ I have potential to become. These along with thoughtful friends, sweet surprises, and an AMAZING family, are what made up my Birthday.