A Poem for My Girl

I push you because

I am good, but you are better

I cheer for you because

I am amazed at what you can already do

I say you’re beautiful because

You are, inside and out

I say I’m proud of you because

I am, and didn’t hear it often myself

I criticize you because

I know when you can do better

I praise you because

I know when you’ve given your all

I hug you because

A hug gives strength

I encourage you because

We all need it

I say “Try harder” because

I know you can

I tell you to be honest because

We all should be

I love you because

You are my only daughter

I am proud because

You are turning into an amazing woman

I am sad because

You are almost grown

And, to close, can anyone possibly believe that this girl has no idea she's beautiful?