It is crazy to consider that you've been a teenager for a full year. It's not hard to believe when I consider all that you are capable of and your maturity, but it is crazy when I think about little Sissypants singing her little songs. It seems like only yesterday that you were a mermaid swimming to the deepest parts and breaking people's hearts. It's funny, 'cause now that you are older, you have no interest in swimming in the deep end, but hearts are soon to begin breaking when they realize they aren't up to snuff.
Where to begin with describing you? You are a tornado in shoes. You do a little of this and a lot of everything else. What don't you have going on?
It makes sense to begin with your stories, of course. You love to write and as you grow up, your stories are growing as well. You are learning how to describe a scene, develop dialogue, create a character arc, introduce tension, and how to resolve it. The Third Claw has been fun to read. Your writing ability is really taking off and that story in particular represents a significant shift in ability. I am excited to see how much more you have in the tank and where it's all headed.
Second only to stories is your songwriting and piano playing. You have really taken it upon yourself to develop your music reading skills as well as you song writing, singing, and playing. It is fun to hear you training your fingers on the piano as I work above you during the day. I can hear the familiar tunes through the wall and am impressed with your ability to teach yourself.
You are no longer a big girl, but a young lady. You clean the house for your mom, watch the little kids, do baths for the little girls, and bake things. You take on yourself a lot of grown up responsibilities. You do this so often that it is easy to overlook, but it is really quite impressive. You can do whatever you decide to do and we're all grateful that many times, it is something that your mother or I would have to have done. So, all that to say, THANK YOU!
It is so much fun hearing you tuck in Oey for nap. Since her bedroom is near the one from which I work each day, I can hear you and her reading little books and chatting before nap. It is adorable. She loves you and looks up to you. I hope she grows up to be like you.
You are always doing shows for your little sisters and creating characters to inhabit all of the worlds you have imagined. You have kept your childlike wonder while growing into a young lady. Your Chestertonian instincts are on point. You know how to live in the world without being of it and how to imagine other worlds without getting completely caught up into them.
When you are into something, you are really into it. You have the ability to completely engage in whatever imaginative experience you are interacting with. When you play piano, you are immune to everything else. When you are in Manga-Anime-Chibi, you are oblivious to anywhere else. You enjoy story grip and are growing in your ability to produce that same hold on others through your piano playing, song singing and writing, poetry, and story telling.
You are a voracious reader. The question is what haven't you read?
You have recently taken to creating meme ideas for me. It all began with your Spartan "Come and Take Them" idea a few months back and ever since it's become a thing. It's fun creating and publishing them so that you can see them come to life on the big screen during watch time in the evening.
You are still best buds with Lydia. What a grace of God in providing you with such a bosom friend. You are like Anne and Diana or Heidi and Clara. You go together like peas and carrots. It is fun watching you love your friends and be loved by them.
I am so proud of you, Penelope. You are a beautiful, smart, funny young lady and I watch you watching your mom and taking your ques from her. You love your sisters and your brothers and love your God. You have a good reputation before God and man and you are growing in wisdom, stature, and favor with both daily.
I cannot wait to see what 14 has in store for you. You are a blessing to us all. We love you.
Happy Birthday, Nen.
Love,
Dad
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