Happy Birthday, Mina!

My baby is nine today. My gorgeous, uniquely-brilliant girl. My love child. I love her to the point of panic sometimes. I've always run circles around her to protect her from anyone that might misunderstand her. Too much, probably. I clear her path so she can dance around on it, lost in a beat she made up. Her mind clicks along to a higher logic, her own, and this creams my heart to a mushy pulp. She's so funny, her timing cutting, and so strong - just ask her. It's hard to dive into her black eyes that don't always reveal much -- she can be a Shut-Off Queen -- but when I get glimpses of the silent churning that's going on in there, I see a whole fantastic world. I see unbelievable things. Anything she does is pretty much alright with me.

While Maya fights for the animals, Mina can talk to them.


I love you so much, Mina.