Sidney is 20 today. I have known Sidney for 18 of those years. She has remained one of the most beautiful people I have ever seen. She is strong. In an unnatural kind of way for someone so beautiful. Her life has been filled with emotional battles. If life were like the American Ninja course, she would would be named a great ninja…She jumps over obstacles, and fights her way through the tough stuff, sometimes hanging on only by her fingernails. She has weathered things that would take down your average run of the mill girl. But she is not average. This girl, this young woman that I’ve had the opportunity to live with, and learn from for all of these years. I tried to smother, and mother…and she pulled away. Once, I realized that all she wanted, or needed was my love…the world as we know it began to look different.

Happy Birthday Sidney. You are loved, and admired, and thought about, and prayed for….but mostly loved. Will you teach me how to be as brave as you one day ?