PRINCESS REGINA

Where have the years gone? You, the baby of the family, are graduating from high school. It doesn't seem possible at all. Somehow, I feel you should just be starting your freshman year.

As I reminisce of the past eighteen years, it is with various emotions and pride. Emotions of love, wonderment and yes, even relief. Pride for your achievements throughout the school years and for your unique personality.

Gina, when I think of you or try to share with people what kind of person you are, the following words come to mind:

• Strong-willed
• Beautiful
• Truthful
• Superb sense of humor
• Confrontational
• Caring
• Forgiving
• Opinionated

Watching you grow from a beautiful baby girl to our "Bundle of Attitudes: has made it all worthwhile. Your closeness with your brother and your teasing with your father have brought many smiles to my face and warm feelings to my heart. I've commented several times that I wish I had been more like you when I was a teenager. I was the child who didn't walk becuase the sign read "Don't"; you are the one who says "I'm walking!" Your independence is to be admired. You have learned to temper it with the knowledge of what is truly right and wrong.

I remember the nights that you would perform a comedy routine at the end of my bed. While tellin you to "GO TO BED!" the tears were streaming down my face from laughing at your antics. Your humor has proven to be one of your greatest assets and will carry you far in life. Never let go of it. Your creativity is another part of your make-up to be applauded. You are truly artistic, which explains your behavior at times. Gina, I foresee you branching out in that area in your future endeavors.

There have also been the tough times. The tears over what at the moments were major disagreements between us, the fighting over your rights before I was ready to turn you loose with them and your strong desire to be your own person are the ones I remember the most. We've made it through the worst of them, I'm sure. And I'll always be there for you when the tough times show up in the future.

I know in my heart that whatever you do with your life will be because you wanted to and not because everyone expected it of you. You've always been a free spirit and that's probably the thing I most admire of you. I also know that the morals your father and I taught you will carry you through your life.

Gina, as I wrote Ronnie three years ago, you are one of my two greatest achievements in life. I can only wish the very best of everything for youu in your future. Most of all remember, no matter what, I will always love you.

Mom