Does that number shock you like it does me? Alyssa turned 17 this month! I am the mother of a 17-year-old. She is in her 18th year. Next year is her last year of high school. She is taking college classes. I am still trying to grasp these facts. This week I have been reflecting upon December of 1993. For the first time in years, I was no longer in school or working. I spent my days in a little Wymount apartment getting to know our sweet little girl. I curled up on the couch with her in my arms, staring at the tree lights and listening to Christmas music and thinking about Mary and her newborn son. What a calm and peaceful Christmas. I didn’t realize at the time how simple my life was. Barely any cleaning to do in a 450-square-foot apartment. Cooking for two—easy. Christmas shopping? Not much to buy at all, and not much money to buy it with, either. No wonder that was a magical Christmas.
A few things have changed since then, but I am still as thankful as ever to be Alyssa’s mother. These are 17 qualities I love about her.
- intelligence
- beauty—inside and out
- sincerity
- artistic ability
- musical talent
- sensibility
- honesty
- sensitivity
- obedience
- integrity
- kindness
- example
- good friend
- testimony
- faithful
- helpful
- self-confidence
Happy 17th birthday, Alyssa!
