One of my greatest treasures

This past week she competed in the Miss Sandalwood pageant.  She was beautiful and lovely from the inside out, as always.  I could not be more proud of her.  I want to share the poem that she wrote and shared during the competition.  Enjoy.

A glimpse into the heart and mind of one of my greatest treasures, my niece Mantha.

(You may call her Samantha, Sammie or Sam - but to me, she will always be my Mantha.)

The Loudest Shadow

It begins as a noise in the background

Keeping steady beat as it makes its round

It can be found at any time of day

It's so simple, just push play

It creates a story for everyones  life

As if it understands  your struggles and strife

It leaves you feeling  like you're not alone

It keeps you alive with more than one tone

Of complete reality and worry filled days

When life gets too real there's something that says

I'll be with you through the HAPPY and SAD

The really GREAT days and even the bad

It lingers as if ready at any possible time

To lift you off your feet and begin to fly

Away from all the grief, sorrow, and pain

To tell your mind that it's free again

No judging or casting a nasty glare

Just wants you to know that it's always there

As the shoulder to cry on when no one else cares

And casts you alone to face all of your scares

It will give you a feeling that no one else can

And open your eyes to the ever  growing span

Of opportunity and dare and even the strength

To end it all or just  shoot blanks

It tends to all of our daily needs

Not for us but with us so we can really see

The magic of you when in a crowd

Nothing else will sound as loud

As the beats, bells, and whistles that are in your head

Revealing to you a new path to tread

For you will follow no one, your path will  be your own

Because you are led by something that can't be owned

To light up your day or slow down the time

To yell at the world, or even to cry

To help you with whatever you may need

Or just to be there for whenever you please

It will live until the end of time

Serving its purpose, to let its light shine

Remember family, friends, and even  pets

But most of all music never forgets

- Samantha Nicole Doty