She's turning seventeen <br />still sweet <br />(and pure) <br />with a fire in her <br />that nobody will ever <br />be able to extinguish. <br /> <br />So much of her daily routine <br />use to revolve around me. <br />From her tiny little hands <br />waiting patiently <br />while I pour her <br />a bowl of Apple Jacks <br />to her tiny little toes <br />trying to wriggle free as I <br />work her black patent leather <br />dress shoe over her ruffley pink footies. <br /> <br />Now, she's a young woman <br />who really only needs me <br />if she chooses to. <br />I think she tries to need me <br />(for my sake) . <br />From her hands <br />now the same size as my own <br />frying us both an omelette <br />yet asking me for help <br />flipping it over <br />(as if she can't do it) <br />to her feet that <br />have passed my own size <br />yet still wait to be tucked in <br />each night by me. <br /> <br />I watch her <br />as she leaves for school today <br />with her long, blonde hair <br />ironed pin-straight to reach <br />well past the middle of her back. <br />She tosses on her favorite jeans <br />with the low-rise waist <br />(that always insist on needing <br />a tug every few minutes to stay up <br />where they belong) <br />and her way-too-favorite t-shirt <br />that cheers for the boy's football team on the front <br />and has her name on the back <br />in large, proud letters: <br />CHELSEY <br /> <br />She won't leave <br />without her kiss/hug goodbye. <br />(I love that about her) . <br />As cool as she is... <br />she's not embarrassed <br />to call me from school and say <br />''I love you Mom'' <br />each time before she hangs up <br />while I hear the guys in the background <br />mimicking her ''Yeah, I love you too mom! '' <br />She doesn't care <br />she just punches them hard in the arm <br />and tells them to buzz off! <br />I laugh as I hear them groan <br />from the solid hit. <br />That's my girl!<br /><br />Mary Nagy<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/i-know-she-ll-be-alright-for-chelsey-s-17th-birt/
