Sarah Elizabeth Gisriel turns 18 years old tomorrow. It has been fun, fascinating, and exasperating watching her grow over the years. I suppose all parents who marvel at the changes that take place in that innocent little bundle, fresh from the hospital, feel this way.
She has learned so many life lessons in just 18 years about other people and about herself.
She holds on to some things so tightly; the little stuffed bear--"Da-doh"--seen here in her crib, still has a place in her bed.
Other things she has never bothered to embrace. What do you need shelves for when the floor holds stuff just as well?
And it's a wonder that at 3 years old, she was not trying on a hard hat because that's about the time that she decided that she would take the road less traveled even if there was a brick wall across that road and she had to run her head through it.
During all this time that Sarah has been learning, she's been teaching, too. I've learned that she is a hard worker; I would never have survived 10 months and counting at Dairy Queen as she has done. I've learned to appreciate the perspective of a visual artist, for whatever Sarah may do in life, she is in fact, an artist. I've learned that viewing the world differently (sometimes, real differently) is not only acceptable (actually, that one took a while for me) but valuable.
I've even learned that you can be a good person who's fun to be around even if you DON'T like baseball all that much.
It's hard to watch her run her head through that wall as I stand on the side of her chosen path, pointing out that a two-step detour would save her a headache. Lately, I've tried to yell fewer instructions and instead quietly point the way. We clash less now, I think. I marvel at what the next 18 years will bring; or even simply the next year. I can't wait to see and yet, I'm in no hurry . . .
May tomorrow be all that you hope for, Sarah, and all that you deserve. We love you.
I know well that same parental perspective. Ahhh, artistic daughters!
Mr. Frost sums it up for us so nicely:
"...I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference."
Viva la difference and Viva la Sarah!
What wonders lay before you, enjoy!
Posted by: Melissa Dodge | April 17, 2010 at 08:42 AM