I've talked before about my dear daughter Abrielle, including the fact that she was born with a disfiguring birthmark called a hemangioma that engulfed her entire nose. The birthmark was removed by Dr. Milton Waner, a brilliant surgeon. She is now a stunningly beautiful girl.
Dr. Waner's work revealed her outer beauty, but the experience of 14 surgeries and dealing with people's reactions to someone who looked different developed an inner beauty in her that you can't miss.
This fine young lady is about to celebrate her Bat mitzvah (a coming of age ceremony for Jewish girls), and I want to share with you a poem I wrote that will be read during the service. It's an invocation many parents can share with their children.
Unlimited
Within you lies unlimited potential.
Unlimited potential for both success and significance.
Unlimited potential for happiness and worthiness.
Within you lies unlimited strength.
Unlimited strength to resist every temptation and overcome every tragedy.
Unlimited strength to control your attitudes and your actions.
Within you lies unlimited love.
Unlimited love to embrace those who are easy to care about and those who are not.
Unlimited love to feel and express gratitude for the world you live in and the people who care about you.
Unlimited love to forgive others and yourself.
Within you lies unlimited courage.
Unlimited courage to believe in yourself despite frustrations and failures.
Unlimited courage to withstand unkind words and unexpected betrayals.
Within you lies unlimited wisdom.
Unlimited wisdom to choose your own path and to choose the right path.
Unlimited wisdom to know the difference between fun and happiness.
Within you lies everything you will ever need to be, and get everything you will ever want.
-michael josephson
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