My Hero

                                                                                        
Young girl- eldest of the three- glasses, blond hair,
    skinned up knees
Ahem… rough n tumble.. trucks, wrestling fan, dirt
    bikes, climbing trees
Not one for that girlie stuff: then or now- never a
    dress that wasn’t torn. She's not of that world
Tomboy at heart- no hairdos to choose… fishing, riding,
    mud. Ha!! Some (not) girl.
Making fire pits, racing go carts, camping and even snakes,
    she was hooked
Never wanting the girl things: makeup, clothes, and shoes,
    she never cared how she looked
Too early- she suddenly became much wiser than her handful
    of years
Dad couldn’t cope with Mom gone to prison…only offering
    support with distant tears
Considering the hardship she’d had already, there wasn’t,
    much for expectations
Though she knew no excuses and pushed far harder- she
    had no limitations
Any person- in fact, most people whine and pout get by
    on a wink and a smile
She held her resolve and pushed harder, when no one else
    would…she ran that extra mile
Many tried, but gave up and got a GED. First in forever
    to finish high school
On to college, scholarships, jobs, GI bill.  All brains,
    beauty, and an uncanny level of cool
Discipline. Strength. Courage. 4 years she gave ROTC
    more than she had or was allowed
Bravo Company Commander.. hair up, creases that will
    cut, standing tall and proud
Already doing what no had the smarts to expect… She
    will succeed
College beckoned- she answered immediately, in thought
    and in deed
Shining, spectacular example of how to overcome an
    exponential amount of “Oh Shit!” “More?!”
Exceeding what many people handle, more than most people
    can run  from. Strength to the core
Tears of pride, joy, excitement, love, fear, amazement,
    complete and utter admiration
Stumbling along to this person that, not only, preaches
    courage- but leads in demonstration
Not the young girl she once was, not yet the woman she
    will be
Making her way in the midst of “How the Hell are you
    still sane?” “I’d be crazy”
An amazing young woman we could all stand to learn a
    thing or 1,000,056 7/8
No Fear and Why Not- made her the epitome of what we
    should strive to be… Great!!!!
Small girl- mud, camping, dirt, rock crawling, Pokemon
    Yahtzee
Young lady- stand in parent, A student, A+ teacher to
    come, cant wait to see
Young adult- College: learn to teach, life beckons,
    family
Small woman- smart, competent, fighting for herself,
    and our Country
Thank you for being the change and for having the courage
    and strength to be great
The woman I didn’t have the courage to be. Im glad you
    made the journey. I can’t wait to see.