a new teenager's birthday wish...

For her 13th birthday (today!), I gave Lily a writing assignment. My only direction to her was to write about birthdays. Here is what she had to say:

 

 

Birthdays and Adoption

 

Birthdays are always so fun. Whenever I think of birthdays, I imagine the balloons, the presents, the cake, streamers, and screaming party guests. Today is my birthday, and needless, to say, I’m excited.

            So many kids here in the U.S. have huge birthday parties, scores of presents, lots of friends over, and the list goes on. But what about those kids who don’t even know when their birthday is? What about those kids who have never tasted birthday cake, or blown out candles? Kai Kai was very excited when his birthday came around, because he had never celebrated it before.

            So many kids have to be their own parents, watching out for younger siblings. So much of their life has been lost, because of the ignorance and selfishness that we all possess. If we could go and celebrate every child’s birthday, imagine how loved they would feel. They would probably never forget that day when people actually took the time to celebrate them-celebrating them being alive, and telling them how awesome they are.

            And then comes the miracle of adoption. I am soooooooo glad that I was adopted by some awesome parents. I have celebrated all of my birthdays (thirteen now!). But some kids aren’t so lucky. So don’t just say, “Oh, someone else will come along”, because maybe someone else won’t. Let’s work together to tell all of the kids without parents, Happy Birthday!

 

 

Oh how I love my precious teenage girl's heart! Happy 13th birthday, my beautiful daughter! May all of your birthday wishes, for all of the children, come true!!!