Thursday, October 20, 2005

My Beautiful Daughter

She overcame a devastating experience in high school, holding her head high and exuding compassion and good humor.

She weathered several disappointments during her junior year at a school where the word "Achievement" is spelled in 100-point font.

She spent a year-and-a-half looking at colleges, preparing applications, and suffering the endless scrutiny that that process entails. 

She went off to college 1000 miles away, got turned back by a hurricane, came home and replanned her life in 48 hours, and went off to college again, 2500 miles away that time.

The child whose "phone phobia," as she jokingly refers to it, means that a telephone call to one of her best friends is an agonizing transaction,  put together courses and books, joined an intramural team, and applied and trained as a volunteer, all in a completely unknown environment.

She's keeping one eye on the future, making plans to return to the city she wants to call her own, and one eye on the present, making friends, playing soccer, and working at an animal shelter. 

I have no idea how my DNA could possibly have made a contribution to such an independent, balanced, and self-assured young woman, but I would be happy to claim any responsibility at all.

21 comments:

Anonymous said...

:)

Anonymous said...

I suspect the apple didn't fall far from the tree.  Call it nurture or nature, but I'm willing to bet she is very much like you.  You have yourself some daughter there.  Beautiful...simply beautiful!  I love reading entries like this!
Best,
Judith
http://journals.aol.com/jtuwliens/MirrorMirrorontheWall

Anonymous said...

I'm quite certain a lot of that had to do with her mother and father :-)  And probably her brothers too.  You have a wonderful family and I know you cherish it.  Pamela

Anonymous said...

To me, she seems a lot like you!    You have weathered many storms and are independent, balanced, and mostly self-assured.   The latter trait gets tempered significantly as we age.

Anonymous said...

You gave her the foundation of self confidence she needed through your love and guidance.  It wouldn't be easy for anyone and this experience is as much of an education as her course work.  I'm sure you are very, VERY proud.  

Anonymous said...

Wow! You must be so proud!  And, Tulane awaits!!
V

Anonymous said...

I can see where she gets it from. ;)

What a breath of fresh air she must be.

Ari

Anonymous said...

These things don't just "happen".  Give yourself a lot of credit here.  And I hope you'll share this entry with her; your pride and love shine through loud and clear.

Anonymous said...

    Congratulations, Mom. You did a wonderful job. So has she.
Jude
http://journals.aol.com/jmorancoyle/MyWay

Anonymous said...

It's amazing how they just absorb this stuff. Sounds like her Mom had a lot of good stuff to rub off on her.
-Paul

Anonymous said...

Hah!  I suspect that the apple has not fallen very far from the tree...  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Those qualities in a young women are reasons for all of us to be proud.
To have her as a daughter....well  that makes YOU one very lucky lady!!

Put a Smile on your face and a song in your heart.

Wishing you health, happiness and laughter.
TJ~

http://journals.aol.com/paisleyskys/PaisleySkys
http://journals.aol.com/vaultofsecrets/MoonDancer

Anonymous said...

Once again, I'm just so thrilled to hear that being here has been such a good experience for her.  I can only imagine the incredible things she's going to be able to accomplish when she returns to Tulane with this under her belt!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations!  You have great reasons to be proud.  Pennie

Anonymous said...

One's whole life is the education that allows a rise to the challanges that present in a lifetime. You were her original teacher but she was a willing pupil. Be proud and don't forget to tell her of your pride!
Tess

Anonymous said...

what a blessing! judi

Anonymous said...

I can feel your heart swelling as you write.  To have pride in the accomplishments of a child is such a beautiful thing, and you bring tears to my eyes as I read your words.  Watching our children having to face the slings and arrows of life is very painful and so frustrating, but seeing them overcome them and soar is a glorious feeling.

Enjoy the pride, enjoy the young woman, enjoy the love.  She sounds very special indeed.

Maybe she could meet my son???  ;)))

Vicky
http://www.livejournal.com/users/vxv789/

Anonymous said...

I would say its not so much one's DNA as it is one's heart and spirit.  Says a lot about yours!
Peace,  Virginia

Anonymous said...

I'm quite sure mom has overcome a few obstacles, too.  Mom also must have done some things right raising her daughter.  But Mom is right:  most of the credit goes to the daughter herself.  

Anonymous said...

She sounds TERRIFIC, and I think you can claim some well deserved responsibility here.

:)

Judi

Anonymous said...

OOOH.....I'm having a panick attack reading this....my daughter is a sophomore in high school.....and college is just a stone's skip away.  {{{{sigh}}}}  GBU, Shelly