Lauren, with the Mark Twain statue in Kansas City.

It’s hard to believe that my Lauren Kassidy is sixteen years old today! She will be driving alone in a matter of months! This doesn’t seem possible. I mean, I remember when I was sixteen!

I am so thankful that the Lord placed Lauren in our lives sixteen years ago. For a lonely girl living in the hills of West Virginia, she was, quite literally, my reason for living. Her toothless grins lit up my world, and cuddling her was the highlight of each day. I can still remember when she said “uh-oh” for the first time, after I dropped a bottle of shampoo into her bath water. My! That seems like last year. Each new thing she has learned has given me the hope that I’m doing okay as a mom; that I’m not blowing it! Words cannot express how much I love her, or what a testimony of God’s grace she is.

Here are some traits about my girl that I wanted to share:

L eader – I suppose this is natural since she’s the oldest of five children. She is a “take charge” kind of girl. I hope she will always strive to lead others to do right.

A dventurous – There is nothing she won’t try! She will admit to being nervous, but she doesn’t let it stand in her way.

U nique – She has developed her own style: a tomboy with a lovely smile and a flare for bright colors. Her favorites are Grace Kelly, Star Wars, Dr. Who and Dr. Pepper. She’s athletic and tough, with a bit of tenderheartedness mixed in. She’s got a great sense of humor and a rich vocabulary. I don’t say it enough, but I love the woman she is becoming.

R eader – Ever since that day in second grade when she picked up her first Magic Tree House Book, she is rarely without something to read. She devours books like I do chocolates.

E ager – Whatever she is supposed to do, she does with gusto! If it’s Algebra II, she rises at 6 AM to do it. If it’s walking 20 miles a day canvassing for Bill Cassidy in Louisiana, she tackles it happily. No job is too large for her to at least attempt.

N eat – Lauren is organized and likes to keep things tidy. This is a great blessing to her mother! 🙂

I have made a lot of mistakes these last sixteen years of raising Lauren, but she forgives easily, and holds no grudges. I do not deserve her, but I’m so glad she is mine!

I love you, Lauren, and I thank my Heavenly Father for giving you to me.