Daria Doering

My dear girl Nina,

I love you so much.  I’m so proud of you.

I’ve seen you mature so much lately,

You almost seem like a new person.

 

Things that formerly

Would have sent you into screaming fits,

You’re now able to handle.

Way to go!

 

You worked so hard at passing the Raven test,

and passed with such flying colors;

You had the guts to give a huge Hershey’s kiss to Sam,

Despite your discouraging mother!

 

You’ve enjoyed camp, for the first time,

And I’m so happy about that.

You made the brave decision to go to a new school,

And I’m excited about that.

 

I am so grateful to have you as my little girl.

My off-the-wall, out-there, belt-it-out, original, uninhibited,

Singer-musician-dancer-actress-poet-nut!

You are definitely one-of-a-kind.

 

I never cease to marvel at your poise,

How collected you are at all times,

How in charge of appearances;

The opposite of your awkward mother.

 

In the past year I’ve seen you grow

From somebody who hated school and didn’t want to go,

To a girl who loves school,

And is excited about reading, discussing, writing,

Science, poetry, and even math!

 

To a student who has “favorite authors,”

And an impressive vocabulary;

Who is becoming a deep thinker

As well as the consummate party girl.

 

I’ve seen your character improve.

I’ve seen you be responsible

About bringing things to school and camp.

And help our family by becoming a clean fiend!

 

I’ve seen you be kind to people,

Even when they weren’t being kind to you.

I’ve seen you reach out and take risks

To try to be friends with many people.

 

Your good deeds have not gone unnoticed.

I’ve proud of you for all of it,

And glad you told me of the things

I wouldn’t have known about otherwise.

 

Your smiling funny face,

Your love of photos and French manicures,

Your fashion sense,

Where would I be without you?

 

You’ve accomplished so much this year:

Everything from learning to post on a horse,

To playing twenty pieces in the Guild,

To learning to swim freestyle and hula-hoop!

 

So hail to Nina,

The improved version she is becoming.

I think your recent broodings about death

Will bring insight that will better guide your future.

 

You are a shining example to me:

Your complete confidence, your courage,

Your total honesty, your lack of inhibitions.

Thank you for being my daughter!

 

Never let go of the past!

We need to keep having silly time!

Keep cruising in cars with the radio blaring,

Have more Mexican vacations!

 

But whatever happens,

I’ll be so thankful for the other girl in our family.

You’ll always be my Stacia,

My girl of perpetual joy and beauty.