The World Got Brighter

Happy birthday, niece. You have your whole family's best qualities and somehow avoided most of the worst ones. I don't know how you pulled that off, but well done.

Happy birthday, niece. May this year be soft on you, brave with you, and full of small good things you'll remember later.

Eighteen, my niece. Today the world stops asking permission of you and starts asking opinions instead. You've got good ones. Trust them. Happy 18th.

Happy birthday, sweet girl. You are loved more widely than you know , by a whole quiet network of people who hope this year is gentle and good to you. The ones who remember every birthday. The ones who keep watch from a distance. The ones who'd drop anything if you called. You belong to all of us. Today, you belong to yourself a little louder. Happy birthday.