When she was four she wanted a shopping trolley, the kind you pull behind you on two wheels. Monday was my day off, treat day. Lindsey prepared to go shopping. Cherry lips and floral gums and two ten pence mix ups. She insisted on going to the shop on her own. This involved discreet organisation. A phone call was made to the shop keeper that she was on her way and another to the organist who lived halfway between the shop and the manse. She always returned walking proudly with her purchases in her trolley.
I was the same with speaking. We wondered if she ever would. Then one day when her Gran was around and giving our dog a ticking off, Lindsey said in a loud voice, “Don’t shout at my Tara.” She really has never looked back in the talking stakes since then.
At the age of 17 she left home to go to university and live in a flat. It all happened so quickly the university called in the morning to confirm her place and she had to move in that afternoon. As we left her at the flat her mother was in tears but Lindsey was the one saying I will be fine. Of course she was just that. She is still the same independent person as she was then as today she celebrates her birthday.
The hand that guides is the gentle hand that lets people feel they are doing it all by themselves. The teacher who encourages self discovery is will always be the one remembered. The greatest lesson of all is the lesson that says, “You cannot love or heal the world till you have learned to love yourself.”
This blog is linked to my other blog where I speak about the artwork used. It can be seen at:-The Jazz Player
Ralph, it seems you have boundless wisdom. Your daughter sounds quite a character. In our house it was a battle of the wills; all three of us girls are willful!
ReplyDeleteYour daughter sounds like me as a kid ... I remember hitting the teenage years and when I went outside to hang out with friends (and boys) some ten minutes later I would spot my mum out walking our dogs. Ha, coincidence my foot. My friend used to say Oh how embarrassing! I said back, lets pretend we don't know her. Which was fine with my mum , as she just wanted to keep tabs on my company.
ReplyDeleteThanks again Ralph for the memories :)
Hello, Ralph! Wonderful blog you have here. My daughter is 33 years old now and your posting brought back so many memories. Okay if I list you on my front page on my favorite blog lists?
ReplyDeleteSpecial congratulations on your daughter's birthday, Ralph. It is sweet of you to share your recollections about her unique self on her special day. Children delight the hearts of the parents who love and accept them. My first words, after my son was born, were "I am so glad to finally meet you!" I never knew I could love so much as when I became a mother.
ReplyDeleteSo many wonderful comments thank you all. I am overwhelmed
ReplyDeleteWhen my first child was born my Father told me the two greatest gifts I could give my children were roots and wings. I took his advice, (allthough a very trying thing to do at times) but now have four wonderfully grounded, yet, independant grown children. Your entry today brought back that memory, thank you!
ReplyDelete