The first time I saw her was beside my bed
She brushed a wisp of hair from my forehead
She sang softly her a cappella songs
For my peace and comfort, she could sing all night long
I would see her again, this time from the back
We did not have much, and yet nothing we lacked
To get milk and bread would have been a hike
So I'd ride in the orange seat on the back of her bike
The next time I saw her was racket in hand
Timing her stroke so the ball would land
With speed and purpose, perfectly placed
Moving around the court with confidence and grace
A few years later I would begin to see her in the mirror
At that time I did not recognize her, but now it's clearer
One day she would play piano in a lovely little dress
The next day she would play baseball, her shirt and shorts a mess
In my teens, I saw her on courts and in locker rooms
The competitor inside her had a place to bloom
She fell down, she got up, she fell down again
She learned how to view adversity as a friend
When her uniforms were turned in and scrapbooks complete
She wondered if she could stand on her own two feet
Insecurities, like darts, her heart would pierce
Still not realizing she was made to be lovely & fierce
I watched her face fears as she climbed and repelled rocks
I watched her run marathons, sprinting the final blocks
I saw her push her body until she had nothing left to give
Often the place we must go in order to truly live
I saw her one night alone at the beach
Arms wide open with a heavenly reach
Looking for an answer that could only come from above
Him answering, "You are loved with an everlasting love."
I saw her lay down fears of not being enough
I saw her walls fall, realizing it was Him who made her tough
With God she could not be held down for long
She looked in the mirror and felt equally beautiful and strong
Now I see her in girls young and old
Standing in faith in their lovely & fierce mold
We've lost loved ones, we've experienced grief and pain
By His grace, we continue to praise His name
We were made in His image, the contrast part of the plan
We will never face pain greater than the nails that pierced
We are His daughters, and He is the original lovely & fierce
