To Haylee

The strongest person I know is not a grown man;

the toughest creature I have ever laid eyes on is by no means a soldier or conqueror of other human beings.

The most powerful thing I have ever seen beats in the chest of a young girl;

my oldest niece is stronger than Samson with better hair.

The endurance of this small child, to see the things she’s seen, to feel the things she’s felt, and not break apart or spoil but keep that purity and sweetness of soul is a weight that would make great Atlas tremble.

My sister’s daughter has suffered through much but complains little, bearing it all with the grace and strength of her mother and grandmother before her.

She is the strongest person I know.