They’re mine
And no one can tell me they aren’t
I have laid claim to those who have shaped my life

My little artist
She always greets me with a new drawing
I watch her grow in talent and in mind
Her art grows in style and she grows in beauty
I am so proud of her
To watch her excel as she does is a beautiful thing
I keep her close
I remember holding her at great grandma’s funeral
She cried in my arms as I wiped away her tears
I hope she never loses her trust in me

My little follower
Her laughter echoes through the rooms
And brings smiles to our faces
She runs off with her friends and comes back
Tired, drained of energy
She used to follow me everywhere
But I know
That as she grows up
She will start to follow others
Then become a leader
A leader of breathless grace
I hope she never loses her laughter
And comes to know she can lead

My little wonder
She used to bite
And hit
Something she has grown out of for me
I’d get annoyed but not to the point I would ignore her
I loved to take pictures of her
She is adorable
And silent
When she talks her mind is filled with questions
Wonder is held within her eyes
Those beautiful eyes will be shaped by the world
I hope to bond with her like I have done with her older sisters

I drew with my little artist
I lead my little follower by the hand
I photographed my little wonder

I have laid claim to those who have shaped my life
They’re mine
And no one can tell me they aren’t