Sixteen today

I wrote this on February 28, 2005; the day I turned 16. I wrote it for my mother.
Ray is my step-dad.
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Sixteen is:
Candy-like dreams
Life lasts forever
Or so it may seem

For my very first steps
You held my hand,
As I followed your ways,
And footsteps in the sand

Throughout the years,
You have helped me grow
We have endured things
That only us two know

And we have come this far
Because of each other
A daughter cannot strive
Without her mother

From the second I breathed
To this very day
You have loved me in
The same exact way

And for the past couple years
I have let your hand slide
I have had less to share
When I smiled and cried-
And I’m able to do this
Because you have raised me right
I have grown with every tear,
Every laugh, and fight

It hasn’t been easy
This road that we’ve taken
But I don’t regret it,
And I’m not mistaking

Because when I look in the mirror
I see part of you
Intentionally, or not-
I do what you do

It makes me stronger,
To know I’m not alone
Because I hold your hand
Wherever I go

But I don’t want to paint
A picture of pretty flowers
We’ve had our days of
Ignoring each other for hours

But that’s just because
We don’t always agree
At least we know I’m always right-
Well, usually….

I love you mom,
And you too, Ray…
We made it together-
I’m sixteen today

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