This Girl

This Girl . . . 

will never be homecoming queen . . . 

or be inducted into National Honor Society.

She will never be included

when the "cool" kids plan

next summer's

pool party.

This girl doesn't go to

football games 

or 

basketball games

because

she doesn't want to go alone.

This girl doesn't get invited

to birthday parties 

or 

sleepovers

or 

movie nights with friends . . . 

because they never ask.

She will never be a

star athlete - 

heck, she wasn't even

allowed to be on 

Student Council 

when that was the 

ONLY 

thing she could actually do.

She says she doesn't mind,

"It's OK, mama,"

she says

when I weep . . . 

but you don't know

she walks alone

down the hallways

of her school . . . 

Because you do not see her 

this girl

of mine. 

But every night she cuddles near

and asks,

"Want to hear about my day, mama?"

And, of course,

I stop

and drop whatever I am doing

to listen to her tell me

minute by minute

who said what 

and

who is friends with who

and that there is a

football game 

on 

Friday night . . . 

but, "It's OK, mama,"

she says with a smile,

"I'll stay home with you and Daddy

and we can have a

movie night, just the three of us."

So when you are announcing 

the amazing accomplishments 

of your child 

who is

whole

healed

strong

intelligent

on the Honor Roll

or

captain of the volleyball team

please remember . . . 

this girl

still walks alone 

down the long hallways

of her life.