un.forgettable

NOTE: This was originally written and posted on fb on 03/21/2011

You only have 18 summers with your children, what kind of memories will you make in that short time.

As my final summer with my oldest child approaches, one that will be significantly shortened. I wanted to look over her life, and the wonderful, unforgettable memories we created along the way. So here goes, a memory for nearly every year... but 18 memories that are indeed unforgettable!

1) I remember the day you were born, you were so long - litteraly almost 2 feet long! and your tiny hands had beautiful long fingers... we talked about them being the fingers that would one day play the piano (which they have) but today; we know those long fingers, those beautiful hands play the flute, so lovely at times that it brings tears to my eyes.

2) You have always been a sensitive soul, and before you were even two I remember sitting together, our then small little family and watching The Lion King. You sat so silently, watching everything as the story evolved. Then to see the little tears, falling silently down your cheeks when Mufasa was killed and Simba was at his side. Today, that sensitive and caring heart is just one of the many reason so many people love you.

3) We were still living in Atlanta when you showed your innocence and kindness once again. We were at the mall and you were walking through a Pocohontas attraction. There was a little girl there also, about the say age - she was a pretty little black girl. You walked right up to her and gently touched her face and told her what pretty skin she had. Her mother looked at me and smiled, thanking you and they walked away. To this day, I have never seen you judge anyone by appearance; always taking the oppertunity to see what is inside.

4) We had moved back to Nebraska after your 3rd birthday and were settling into a new home and town. I recall the Halloween before you would be entering school. Im not sure how we aquired it, but we had a HUGE pumpkin - you and the neighbor kids got to help "gut" the giant pumpkin and make the biggest Jack-O-Latern any of you had ever seen. I can still remember all of you and your little arms, reaching down in after the seeds... up to your armpits - it was such a deep reach. It turned out great and I think you all went to bed excited about what you had created! There was a storm that Halloween night, yet in the wee hours of the morning following... some of the local HS kids decided to hae some "fun" and destroyed many of teh smaller pumpkins in our neighborhood, and stole ours! I can still hear your little voice as you asked me "Why would somebody steal our pumpkin Mommy"? I had no answer... that day my heart was only sad for you.

5) Your first year of school, we had moved to North Platte over Christmas break and you were at your new school, where they had books made for each child in your class. Stories about yourself and two of your best friends. They told what you liked to eat and what you liked to do. They were presented to you one evening, with the local TV cameras there. I still chuckle when I think about them calling your name - you stand and walk up to get your book. The lady just had this surprised look on her face stating "My, you are a tall little girl aren't you"? I know today you wonder why you didn't keep being one of the "tall" ones in your class, guess God had other plans. :)

6) My memories of you from this year was of the summer playing softball and your friend Kaycee. The two of you were inseperateable and there was always lots of giggles and laughter when you were together. :D

7) First broken bone. Its an odd statmenet, but I can still her you screaming and crying... which takes me back to that day and as you walked into the house covered in leaves and looking like you arm was out of socket! A scarey moment for the both of us.

8) I remember your 8th Birthday and all the little girls running around in our front yard. It is the image of those little girls; Amy, Jessica, and Becky to name a few and how you have all grown up over the years... Those silly little girls are now mature young women, all embarking on their own futures.

9) You would become a BIG sister again and what a wonderful little helper you were, still are. You are the best oldest child, as you have always tried to put your siblings feelings ahead of your own, to help them, encourage and support them; to love them unconditionally. (even when you want to wring their necks!) I don't think you really know how much they are really going to miss you! <3

10) I have to group two years together for this memory... 4th and 5th grades were so fun for me to watch you!

You loved your teachers dearly and in turn loved school all the more!! Mrs Brechbill encouraged you to be yourself and Mr Heogh showed you what a positive male role model could be. I treasure the time you got to spend with them both! 5th grade also was the first year you began to play VB, and a true love of the sport was born!

11) Your love of music would continue to grow this year, as it was your second year in band and you were given the privillage of being selected to Sing Around Nebraska. I was so proud to attend the concert in Lincoln, and to see your beaming face as you performed. To this day, I am often asked if you are still singing - so many people like myself, think you have a beautiful voice.

12) First year of Middle School, a place where you continued to learn who you were. Enjoyed band, Loved VB, and continued to feed a young love of History. You would also learn that you enjoyed throwing in track. You would spend the year staying active and being a part of things... hanging out with friends and living life! 

13) This is the year when I saw you continue to be a dear and true friend. This was the year Carmin and her family were home on furlough from PNG. You immediatly wanted to make sure she didn't feel akward about being the "new girl"  Your friendship would grow and blossom over the coarse of the year since they also attended church with us. It would also the year I saw your heart truly sad (nearly broken) for the first time as she and her family would leave to go back to PNG for 4 years. You learned the art of letter writing from this experience, something to treasure... those letters where you share your hopes and dreams, and even your fears. OH! I almost forgot... the BEST Surprise Birhtday EVER!! <3

14) High School! This would be another moment of significant change. Especially on the VB court, where two of your good friends and teammates would walk away from the court and onto the Softball field... making adjustments not only to your "game" but to the whos you spent a significant amount of time with. New friendships would be built. Marching Band would spark a new intrest...desire. You would also do well in Concert/Honor Bands, earning awards along the way. Honor Roll and you would letter in Track as a Freshman! :)

*Band Trip to Chicago - I so wish I could have been at that Cubs game with you!! :D

15) My memory of this year is your driving passion in band, the year you decided you wanted to be the Drum Major and tried out for the second time and would be said Drum Major for the first time your Junior year! That summer driving to Lincoln with you for Drum Major Camp - listening to all the stories on the way home of how much fun you and Caitlin had had; the friends you had made!

During the school year you would also be a part of the musical (Annie Get Your Gun) More Honor Bands and awards for your hard work and dedication. Acedemic efforts would continue to be rewarded! You would again letter in Track. 

This summer you would be Chicago bound again... this time for a different reason - but one that God had planned for a very long time. It was this summer you would fall in love and I would loose a part of my little girl. I still love to watch your face light up when you talk about David! <3

16) Your first year as Drum Major! I remember how scared you were for the HOH parade, as Caitlin was the Queen Candidate and you would be leading the entire band ALONE for the parade - in your first major competition!! You did great and the AHS Band received EVERY Award they could win that day!! I still see the pride in your face as you realized how well the band had done! You had continued succes in other competitions as well as Honor Bands! You were also blessed with continued Acedemic/Track success. 

17) SENIOR YEAR! Where have the years gone...

This year alone has revealed so much growth in you to me. The moments when you can only say "remember when"

This has been a year of "lasts" but also a year of "firsts" - a year to treasure and try to hold on to forever. <3

Your passion for music and the band continued. You had the privilage (to my delight) to perform with 2 of your siblings.... moments I know you will ALL treasure for the rest of your lives.

You sorrowfully packed away one love and all its precious memories to give all your efforts to your new passion - music, more specifically band. It paid off, you were selected to FOUR Honor Bands!! Watching you play this year has been so wonderful, such a privilage!! ...and the year is not over yet! To see you play, to watch you feel the music, to KNOW that it is a part of you, connected to your soul, brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. God gave you a beautiful gift and you have worked hard to cultivate it and allow it to flourish and become something wonderful and amazing.

I truly am so very proud of you! <3

18) This is more of a wish, no a prayer other than being one final memory... I pray that you will continue to live your life in the manner you have these past 18 years. Loving God, trusting Him in times that seem to hard to manage on your own. To continue to grow and flourish in your talent and in life. To excell in school and to become the best teacher you can be... loving your students and empowering them to be more than they might believe they are capable of.

I pray that you will continue to hold the heart of the wonderful young man who loves you so... to have a family and to be happy and content in your lives. To not want or need but to live with a bit more ease than you might have seen us live as you were growing up. I pray that you will be a capable wife and mother - and I know that you will.

God has given you such a kind and loving heart, one that reaches out when you see a need.

I love you daughter of mine -

I love the little girl you once were,

the young woman you are,

and the strong and confident woman you have started to become. 

You are unforgettable -

and in His image, you were created to succeed and do amazing things!

love always,

madre`