Which takes my breath away. Twelve years ago I became her mother, and part of me simply cannot recall life before her.

She went from infancy to adolescence in a blink, but the smile in her eyes has never changed.

She’s a good girl. She’s smart, she’s strong, and above all she’s kind. There’s a bit of altruism in her basic makeup, and it will serve her well. It will serve all of us well. Jane will leave the earth a little better than she found it.

We’re raising a good girl, Mr. G. and I. Our home is a happy home, and she’s blossoming, but mostly it’s because she came to us this way. Kind, gentle, happy and smart.

Today is a very happy day.