Sunday, September 13, 2009

She grows up


Shiny happy person
Grand Bend, ON, September 2009


She'll give you the last of whatever she has. She'll drop everything she's doing to help. She'll listen to you for as long as you need a friendly ear. She'll find the person in a crowd who needs her most and make sure she's there when the time's right.

Sandwiched in the middle of two brothers, she's grown a spine seemingly made of titanium, but is still so sweet that my wife and I often wonder how we got so lucky to have her. I know parents are supposed to be proud of their kids. But even if that unwritten rule hadn't been written somewhere, we'd feel the same way. She's the kind of daughter any parent would be elated to have.

She turned 12 yesterday, which was a bit jarring given how it was only yesterday that I stood over her newborn form and wondered what had happened to the rest of her. She was a tiny little thing, born early on a dark, rainy morning in a city that was still new and strange to us. As she's grown, we've grown, too, laying down roots in this place and making it our home. In so many ways, she's helped us find our way. She makes friends easily, finds her groove without our help, dives right into whatever she's up to - school, homework, taking care of the dog, whatever - and just gets it done. Of course we worry about what the future brings all of us, but we don't worry about her ability to navigate the world.

She has so many chapters ahead of her, and I have so many words left to write about a delightful life that continues to enrich our family. I'm already looking forward to seeing where she plans on taking us all.

Your turn: It's a weekend of happies around here, as Dahlia was born the day before Debbie's birthday. Which reminds me, I need to get cracking on her cake..bye! While I'm gone, what should they wish for in the year to come?

One more thing: Debbie shared her thoughts on our young lady's big day on her blog.

15 comments:

dennisthemennis.co.uk said...

my baby was 13 last may and I can relate with your sense of pride. what a fab photo. happy birthday from London UK.

Anonymous said...

Hau`oli La Hanau to Dahlia and Debbie. I think they can only wish for happiness, love and peace. What more could anyone want :) Aloha

~j said...

she's a beauty....happy birthday to her and to Debbie!

NJ said...

Well my baby is 23 and I continue to be amazed at the person she's grown into. I have to laugh at a weird coincidence within your words when you said that your daughter had a spine of titanium. My daughter's email address until a few months ago was the great titanius but she felt that it was time to turn to something more professional. Her moniker was due to 4 spinal surgeries.

Your daughter sounds like a wonderful girl! It's true how children do make your way in the world. For years it was how we acquired friends...now we have to find new inventive ways to make friends..

Thumper said...

Happy birthday to them both! I can only think they would wish for life to continue to be as awesome as it seems to have been so far...

David Edward said...

the already have a MONSTER sized blessing, parents and a family who love each other and are grounded, yet still able to fly above the traffic jam of mediocrity that so often fills our world. In a nutshell, she is wonderful because of the way YOU and moramommy raised her

Star said...

She is beautiful Carmi. You will need a big stik to beat off all the boys.

~JarieLyn~ said...

Your daughter is very gorgeous. She appears older than 12. It must be her mature spirit shining through. This is a wonderful post.

Quilly said...

This is a wonderful tribute to your daughter and reading it brought tears to my eyes.

Hilary said...

She's very lovely. And looks older than her mere 12 years.. but you don't want to hear that! :) Happy birthday to your sweeties. :)

kenju said...

Happy belated Birthday, Dahlia! What a lovely young lady you have become. And Happy Birthday to Debbie, too!!

smarmoofus said...

Happy birthday, Dahlia and Debbie! I hope you all had a lovely celebratory weekend.

-smarmoofus

PastormacsAnn said...

Oh my word, Carmi! She's truly lovely and from the sound of it, she's beautiful inside and out! Happy belated birthday to Dahlia! May the upcoming year bring her unexpected unimaginable blessings in abundance!

theMuddledMarketPlace said...

what should they wish for in the year to come?
smiles and laughter, hugs and Knowing that they are loved

Mojo said...

I had no idea Debbie's birthday was coming up. Ya coulda warned me ya know.

I remember that age... even though it's been a long time since mine reached that milestone. And I remember having the same thoughts: "Where did the time go?" I still have those thoughts, even though my eldest will turn 27 in a couple of months.

And I can feel that fraternal smile creeping across my mug as I read the obvious and well-deserved pride in your words. But as the old saying goes, the acorn doesn't fall far from the tree.

Happy Birthday to both the Levy girls! Now excuse me while I go mark my calendar so I don't miss this date next year. While I"m doing that, you can have a look at my latest Shiny offering:
Thematic Photographic 66: "Shiny" v.5.0 - "Meine Geliebte"