I Guess You Could Say

Sixteen years ago
A little girl came into the world
In an operating room
Because her feet and head were mixed up

I guess you could say
I've been stubborn since birth

Fifteen years ago
A little girl took her first steps
Until she was running
Right into her mom's open arms

I guess you could say
I've always been a momma's girl

Fourteen years ago
A little girl learned how to read
And always had a book in her hand
Soon she was telling her own stories

I guess you could say
I was destined to be a writer

Thirteen years ago
A little girl cried at Annapolis
When her big brother had to stay with the Navy
While Mom and Dad took her home

I guess you could say
I've always been in touch with my emotions.

Twelve years ago
A little girl stayed home
With her mom and nephew
While the older kids went to school

I guess you could say
I've always known the way things work

Eleven years ago
A little girl walked into school
Holding tightly to her four year old nephew's hand
She thought she would be lost in this place

I guess you could say
I've always been a worrywart

Ten years ago
A little girl got so sick
She was rushed to the hospital by her brother-in-law
Had an IV put in her arm and everybody visited

I guess you could say
I've always known how to get attention when I want it

Nine years ago
A little girl took an eye exam
And found out she needed glasses
Now she can't see without them

I guess you could say
I've almost always been a four-eyes :)

Eight years ago
A little girl's sister had a baby
On her birthday, and every birthday since,
The other little girl has had a party

I guess you could say
I've always been a good sharer

Seven years ago
A little girl felt grief for the first time
When her principal told her that her third grade teacher died
She cried for what seemed like forever

I guess you could say
I've always had healthy tear ducts

Six years ago
A little girl was told she was special
Secluded from her classmates
And placed in advanced math and reading

I guess you could say
I've always been smart

Five years ago
A little girl held death in her arms
And watched as her sister's cat
Climbed up in her lap and died

I guess you could say
I've seen more death than some

Four years ago
A little girl met a soul mate
A brother from another set of parents
In the blue-green eyes of a blond haired boy who made everything right

I guess you could say
I've always know family goes deeper than blood

Three years ago
A little girl's mom went to Montana
And stayed there for an entire semester
Because her sister needed her after her husband's death

I guess you could say
I've always been understanding

Two years ago
A little girl lost a best friend and a brother
One to drugs, one to another city
She hasn't really spoken to either one since

I guess you could say
I've learned how to let go

One year ago
A little girl's best friend e-mailed her
Saying she had almost attempted suicide
But wanted to hear that everything would be okay

I guess you could say
I've always been the go-to girl when someone is breaking

Today
A little girl turns sixteen
Making everyone sad in a way that the baby of the family
Can no longer be called baby

But I guess you could say
I've learned to accept certain things won't change.

Copyright 2009 S. Sieglaff