when you were one
you could walk a few steps
and you were proud

when you were three
you could count to five
and use the bathroom
on your own

when you were six
you could ask for food
and tie your shoes
and you would smile
because you knew you could

when you were eight
you thought you could
live on your own
you would have it made
so you went out on the driveway
with your stuffed animal
and your favorite toys
to live on your own
even though you were small

when you were nine
you dressed up in your moms clothes
put on her makeup
and her big hat
and you were proud
walking around like a grown up

when you were twelve
you did your homework
you could spell your teachers name
you hung out with friends
you remembered
when it was simpler to have
tea-parties with bears
than fighting with peers

when you were thirteen
your pet gerbil died
you had him for years
you cried for days
because you didn't know why
things had to disappear

years passed
friends grew apart
new friends came in
you learned how to drive
you dated boys
within a few years
you grew lightyears more
when you were sixteen
you got your first car
you won prom queen when you were 17
you were head cheerleader
star student
amazing friend

you graduated top of your class at 18
the night after graduation
you went to a party with friends
a guy you liked asked you to dance
you ended up going outside with him
he kissed your hand
you and him kissed
your first kiss
he tried to undress you

   you told him no

the biggest accomplishment you ever made
was when you stood up for yourself
and told him no
walked away
and stayed with your friends



some accomplishments are not always known by everyone
some are never known at all
but the ones that really matter
are usually the simplest of all