I belong to that classification of people known as daughters.  I am A Daughter.  And, not altogether incidentally, I am a sister. 

     Not too long ago, I arrived home from a weekend out with my friend, to be bombarded with chores that had to be completed by the next day.  Shortly after that, I discovered I had to watch my youngest sibling in order for my mom to attend church, while trying fervently attempting to complete these chores.  Then the idea passed through my mind, “I want a daughter.” 

     I want a daughter who does well in school.  I want a daughter who always does her homework, who studies for every quiz and test, who aces every quiz and test.  I want a daughter who doesn’t get upset every time she is punished for missing one homework, who I can lecture on missing one homework, when her brother might not pass seventh grade, and her other brother in third grade still has trouble reading.  I want a daughter who will not complain anytime she has a lot of schoolwork.  I want a daughter who gets honors rolls every marking period, and who gets an “A” in all of her classes, even though her best very well may be a “B”.  I want a daughter who is a part of every club, and holds a leadership position in each of these clubs. 

     I want a daughter who dresses up everyday, in the styles that I like, and not her own, more “comfortable” way.  I want a daughter who is not tired when she comes home from school, and doesn’t need to take a fifteen-minute nap.  I would also like a daughter that will watch her siblings while I take a 20 to 30 minute nap each day.  I want a daughter that will spend less than ten minutes on the computer everyday, and less than an hour each week, even if it means sacrificing time to talk to her friends, whom she can’t communicate with any other way.  I want a daughter who will go to church every Sunday, without arguing or putting up a fight.  I want a daughter who will make her bed every morning, no matter how late she is running, and won’t leave her pajamas on the floor. 

     I want a daughter who will sort the laundry in the house, clean the bathroom and dust the furniture every weekend, despite plans she made during the week, or the amount of work she has to do otherwise, and will pay her brother if she decides not to do it.  I want a daughter who will help me get dinner ready, even if she is in the middle of doing her schoolwork, and her siblings are watching TV.  I want a daughter who will get up from what she is doing, to hand me my glasses, which are right out of my reach.  I want a daughter who will exercise for at least twenty minutes everyday, no matter what commitments she may have, or the schoolwork she needs to do.  I want a daughter who will do as I ask, right as I ask it, without having to be told things more than once.  I want a daughter that I can brag about to my family and friends. 

     My God, who wouldn’t want a daughter?