Eleven candles

“Eleven Candles, Karah”

Feels like yesterday I held you tight

Tiny hands in the hospital light

Now you’re laughing, running wild and free

Growing up right in front of me

Pink sneakers in the driveway dust

Barbie dreams and a fearless trust

You don’t see it yet, but I do

The whole wide world’s gonna notice you

Every year’s another page

Watching my little girl turn the age

Eleven candles shining bright

Karah girl, you’re my whole world’s light

From scraped-up knees to big dreams tall

I’ll be right here through it all

You’re braver than you even know

Got a heart of gold and a steady glow

No matter how big this life may seem

You’ll always be my little queen

You got that sparkle in your eyes

Same stubborn fire, same surprise

When you laugh, it fills the room

Like springtime breaking through the gloom

One day you’ll chase your own sunrise

Spread those wings and start to fly

But before you do, just understand

You’ll always have your daddy’s hand

When the world feels loud and mean

And middle school gets in between

Remember who you’ve always been

Strong and kind with thick skin

Eleven candles, make a wish

There ain’t a single dream you’ll miss

God’s got plans bigger than we see

But you’ll always be that kid to me

Through every tear and every win

Every loss and every grin

Blow them out and know it’s true

There ain’t nothing I wouldn’t do for you