my niece, ashlee, turns 17 this month … she’s tearing up the golf courses of the southwest, having recently won the new mexico state high school women’s title (and she’s only a junior) … i wrote this a few years ago when i accompanied her to a round of golf (i’ve never played) and she didn’t shine as brilliantly as she hoped to in front of her uncle …
ashlee’s my niece
and i’ll never cease
loving watching her grow
but sometimes i see
how much she’s like me
in learning what we need to know
ashlee, don’t fret
you’ve got plenty time yet
to show how special you are
you’ve had a bad day
and i just want to say
in my eyes
you’re always a star
ashlee will learn
how fast luck can turn
from favorable to the reverse
but luck also comes back
makes you head of the pack
and then takes a turn for the worse
ashlee, don’t sigh
you gave your best try
nobody wins every game
i’ve won my share
still i often despair
disappointment is my middle name
ashlee and i
still have tears to cry
pursuing what we love to do
so we sharpen our skills
hope for triumph and thrills
as we wait for luck’s next switcheroo
ashlee, don’t fret
you’ve got plenty time yet
to show how special you are
you’ve had a bad day
and i just want to say
in my eyes
you’re always a star