Wow. Just wow. My first born baby is 19. Almost out of the teens and really, truly an adult (as opposed to just trying to act like one!) Two recent pics, here she is studying for a college math test (and trying to watch American Idol at the same time) and on the right, getting ready for a "hot date" (ha ha, with her sister) to watch Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland".
Here are 19 things about Shade on her 19th birthday:
Week 8 has been brightened with fresh air and spring-like temps for our normally-in-the-middle-of-winter valley. Blue skies teasing us that warmer days just might be around the corner. And the best part of that is shaking off the cabin fever that takes hold between New Years holiday and the first rays of sunshine. My reminder to the girls is to get outside already. Turn off the TV, the cellphone, the Wii, X-Box, computer, laptops, etc...and STEP. OUTSIDE. And BREATHE. Can't resist adding water to the mix because they don't drink nearly enough ("pop please") and also, swimming is FUN!
Below is my latest page, week no. 7, in what will eventually become a year-long book of messages/reminders I want to leave my daughters. Not sure how many of my readers are local to my town, but those of you who are will undoubtedly be caught up in the heartbreak this community is experiencing from the loss of one of our own children, Mackenzie Cowell, who disappeared Feb. 9, 2010. My very close friend, Stephanie Fry, was the photographer who had taken Mackenzie's senior photos and she has a bittersweet reminder on her site about the importance of photos. Although my daughters weren't close to Mackenzie, they attended the same school and are so shocked and saddened by the tragic loss of this young woman. In the aftermath of grieving, we've had lots of discussions about paying attention to your surroundings and heeding that inner voice that might be trying to protect you. It's a fine line, trying to teach your kids to be independent and "fearless", while also wanting them to not be gullible or susceptible to harm. RIP Mackenzie, the whole community mournes your loss.
I have three daughters. I always knew I wanted girls and it never occured to me I could have had boys. So it was a good thing it worked out this way! I am always trying to pass on things to them that they should know and so this year, when thinking about starting a personal project, I thought I could combine my photos and my words into some sort of message to them. My plan is to do one a week for the whole year and at the end of the year, have them made into a book and give them each a copy. The first six weeks are below and I'll keep posting them here as I do them.
