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Monday, January 15, 2007AffirmationWhen I was twelve, I didn't have any "real" friends. Well, I take that back. There was my sister. If it weren't for the tearing-up of sibling relationships that so often happens when children attend public schools, our relationship with each other might have lasted the storms of peer pressure and "you're too young for me now" (poor Jamie; she was faithful to end). So yes, I had a friend in my sister. But outside in the ruthless world of age-segregated others, I did not truly "fit." I wasn't into sports (the national pastime in our tiny, depressed town), I wasn't interested in cheerleading, I preferred playing the piano and writing stories over running around the neighborhood playing brainless games. I was even ridiculed for my extensive vocabulary (fancy that; I actually read books with two-and-more-syllable words in them). There was one friendship I made that I thought was a "forever and best" friendship, but it wasn't meant to be. In eleventh grade, you see, I landed the lead role in the high school musical. My "best friend," who adored the theatre as passionately as I did, wasn't cast in the supporting role she'd auditioned for. It was such a devastating blow for her that our friendship crumbled. I remember walking to school with her in complete silence. She never once asked me, "So, how was practice last night?" It was too painful. And I was too immature to deal with it. Once again, I was alone in the crowd. All this is irrelevant today, except for the fact that I'm seeing such a different scenario unfolding in my own daughter's life. Just yesterday, she sent me an email containing something that one of her ballet buddies wrote for her. The words are so affirming, the sentiment so beautiful, that I asked her permission to post the piece here on my blog. Without further ado: M eans everthing she says A loyal friend to God and everybody R ighteous and beautiful in God's eyes and my own G reat personality and smile A ttractive face R eally fun to be with (cuz you make me laugh) E veryone feels welcome around you T ruthful and honest and does everything in excellence Wow. Naturally, I see my daughter in much the same light. But I'm her mother. These words were penned by a peer -- a fellow ballerina who sees Maggie through God's eyes. I am blown away. What more can a mother want for her daughter, than to see beautiful character traits blossom in such a way that others embrace and affirm them? Knowing that Maggie exudes truthfulness, warmth, and inner beauty when I'm not around to see her is a measure of comfort not yet experienced. I'm loving it. And I'm loving the heart of the young girl who took the time to write these words for Maggie. That's my Mom Moment for today. Thanks for indulging me! |
About Me
I am: Mother to five stunningly individualistic children... Writer of young adult fantasy... Passionate advocate for Women At Home... Madly in love with my husband... In need of Organic Gourmet Chocolate on a regular basis. I've got a Paypal account if you'd like to contribute to the cause....
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4of my readers are feeling chatty:
"Knowing that Maggie exudes truthfulness, warmth, and inner beauty when I'm not around to see her is a measure of comfort not yet experienced."
And what better way to show her how proud you are of her than with those words. I am sure they mean more to her than you know. :)
Can it be more wonderful knowing your child is the same person without you as she is with you and both are wonderful?
I can't think of anything better.
That is beautiful, and having met Maggie, if only briefly, I have no doubt it's well deserved! She is a lovely young lady, both outside and in!
It sounds like her sweet, sensitive friend is a perfect match for her too!
Well, I was largely without friends as well as a kid. There was usually one kid at any given time that I could do stuff with. I was a painfully shy introvert growing up.
I was frequently teased and ridiculed because of my ears. They are a bit on the large side, so I was called "Dumbo", and that by someone I actually considered a friend. When you look at me straight on, the inner curve of my ear makes the whole thing look like it is pointed (even though my ears are rather round), so for the bulk of my childhood I was known as "Spock". There were kids who called me that who didn't know what my real name was.
I am happy to see that our kids are making friends much easier than I ever did.
It is great that Maggie has such wonderful friends that are not ashamed to let her know how they feel about her.
It would be nice if all kids were like that.
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