She bounces across the yard, wide smile on her lips with long blonde hair flowing behind her.  Throwing her head back, the sweetest laughter fills the air as she runs after her goats.  They scurry, buck, and hop to get away from her grasp, and she laughs even harder and deeper than before.  A full belly laugh experience for my husband and I as we are nearby watching this scene unfold.

This is what ten looks like.

Out on the trail, sitting deep in the saddle with her back straight, heels down, and arms extended forward she clicks her horse into a trot.  Almost immediately, she clicks again, occasionally giving a soft kick in the ribs, and off they go into a gallop … my daughter and her beautiful horse.

Ten.

Without a care in the world, enjoying life, finding peace in nature, and loving all of her animals.

Sitting quietly in the corner of the barn with “Little Buddy” in her arms as she strokes the kitten’s soft fur.  Putting it down now, she takes a string and begins to bounce it up and down in the air until the end dances wildly.  Within a split second, the kitten lunges toward it, determined to grasp that string between her paws but falling forward with each attempt while my daughter giggles …

This is what ten looks like.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

This post was inspired by the Five Minute Friday prompt word of:  Ten.

It is dedicated to my darling ten year old daughter who, along with her 18 year old sister,

are the reason my heart beats and the reason I’m here on this earth.

I thank God for my “babies.”