Happy Birthday Michelle

FOR MICHELLE, ON THE OCCASION OF HER EIGHTEENTH BIRTHDAY

Where is that little girl
who came to the Rockaway Library
so many years ago?
I've watched her grow and glow
as the young woman she's become.

Her enthusiastic smile
greets me no matter
where we meet --- Fred Meyer, Yo Time,
the Fairview Grange, the library.
There she was with her
"OH MY GOD! LINDA!"
And always, always, a big hug.
How can one not feel loved
with that smile, exclamation, and hug?

So, where did that little girl go?
She grew. Taller each time I saw her.
Hair longer, too. Her curiosity peaked
by the people, events, and the world
around her, posturing herself
to fit in, to be like everyone else.

But there's only one Michelle,
the little girl who came to the Rockaway Library
so long ago, the smiling, exclaiming, hugging young girl,
and now the young woman she's become
when we weren't looking!

I love you, Michelle. Be the best Michelle you can be.

Your forever friend,
Linda Werner