know this:

you are special
you are different
you are unique

you are that sparkle in my eye

sometimes, the sparkle is a tear or two

almost always from a happy place

a place, full of pride

I've never had much pride in anything
but I found pride in you

I felt something when we first met
but then I got to know you
and I was impressed
in awe
inspired
and amazed

by a six year old girl ?
that's just not possible
is it?

I wouldn't have believed it either
and it is probably very rare
but like I said

you are special
you are different
you are unique
you are that sparkle in my eye,

occasionally, that sparkle is a tear or two
sometimes, from a sad place
those tears used to return to that sad place
a feedback loop
exponentially increasing sadness
until I realized your true character
and how it rendered the tears unnecessary

nothing will ever bring you down

whenever I feel sad, I think of you
how strong you are
and the sadness fades

you are special
you are different
you are unique
you are that sparkle in my eye
the sparkle that says I'm alive
and the reason I am alive

I've been meaning to thank you
but just don't know how
consider this a stab at doing so

here are the facts you need to know:

I barely get to see you anymore
I miss you more than you know
I have plans to fix that

sometimes I'm afraid that you've grown up
and no longer care to see me
unlike boys, all little girls mature [giggle, here]
and all little girls change
that change is not always good

children have special qualities
they almost always fade with age
but I have learned never to doubt you
you will hold onto the good qualities
of which you have too many to count

many are found in your heart
love, compassion, empathy
some are a bit mysterious
they must come from the gut
I would say *****, but, well, you know

you fearless courage of lion
hints towards confidence
and strong belief in self
having that makes nothing impossible

then there's your anxiety inducing quality

I think it's called bravery
but it scares the **** out of those who love you

do not worry about scaring people with your bravery

it is a part of who you are
a part of what makes me say

you are special
you are different
you are unique
you are that sparkle in my eye
and I need you to know that