Saturday, September 11, 2010

Reflective birthday girl


Deep thoughts
Deerfield Beach, FL, December 2008


What I like about this week's Thematic Photographic theme, reflective, is its ability to be twisted any numbers of ways. You could take it literally and explore the optics of things like mirrors, water and other reflective surfaces. Or you could go virtual and look at behaviors - the kinds of things we don't necessarily see.

Or do we? As I watched our daughter, Dahlia, take in a scene she doesn't normally get to enjoy, I thought about what she must be thinking. I kept quiet as I snapped away, though. Sometimes, it's best to just enjoy a quiet moment together.

Her pensiveness is merely one of the things I love about the young lady who in barely 28 minutes becomes a teenager. She appreciates the little moments that don't necessarily merit headlines, but still deserve to be cherished. Just like her mom, she considers the needs of others long before she considers her own, and she has a way of connecting with anyone, anywhere that renders her almost impossible to forget, even if you only crossed her path once. She's growing into the kind of person anyone would dearly wish to call a friend, the kind of person anyone would want to spend more time with.

I wish for many more shared moments like this in our future, and wish time didn't move as quickly as it does.

Your turn: What would you like to wish our newly minted birthday-girl teenager?

16 comments:

Ginny Hartzler said...

In looking at your wife's blog and seeing another picture of Dahila, I see that she has the joy of life! As we get older, the responsibilities and hardships of life wear us down, and we lose the wonder that a child has. Things that were bright and wonderful seem dim and far away. The joy of life, the joy in the small, simple things can seem very distant. But some special people still retain this joy of life and enthusiasm all their lives. So this is my wish for your daughter. That her hopes never dim, tht her joy of life springs up fresh every day, and that she always continues to greet each day with unlimited enthusiasm, living every minute to the fullest. Happy Birthday Dahlia!

kim said...

I like that you've captured a moment - and reflecting on it - because that's what I think of as a parent with my own kids. Sometimes it's easy to get caught up with stuff and going 'fun' places - but life boils down to moments. The ones I remember from my own childhood most clearly had everything to do with how I felt and not what we had or didn't have - once my very uptight mother let us have a watermelon seed spitting contest IN THE DINING ROOM (my dad and mom both joined in) - it was so hilarious and we never had laughed so much. I have just started reading your blog, but I already suspect you are parents who already know what matters. Happy birthday to your growing up little girl - enjoy all the moments. :) kim

CorvusCorax12 said...

i just wish her a happy birthday and many , many more ♥
She is a beautiful girl, inside and out

Kalei's Best Friend said...

What I wish for your daughter is that with each experience she experiences that she embrace is for what it is, to not ruminate on how it could have been, to not blame herself if it did not turn out the way she had wished... To know that life brings good and bad feelings, that life is just a lesson for us to experience .. To grow w/each lesson, to know what love is, to know how to deal w/people who don't appeal to her as well as situations. To enjoy whatever she does or becomes...

btw: if that profile pic of u is up to date, u sir, do not look old enough to have a teen!. :-)

fredamans said...

Happy Birthday Dahlia!

Karine said...

What a wonderful photo, thank you for sharing it and your lovely daughter with us. I wish you many happy moments as a family together and I hope you enjoy your daughter's birthday celebrations!

Tayloreece said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Ankita Sarkar said...

First of all, wishing a very happy birthday and a wonderful life ahead to your daughter.
Now, you twisted the meaning, though your description mentioned reflective surfaces... anyway, the picture is wonderful. We really fail to see the beauty and joy in little things and moments sometimes. It takes maturity to enjoy that scene. The fact that your daughter is now appreciating the beauty of that scene shows that she's growing up. Growing up to be a lady whom everyone will like.
I pray that you enjoy many more moments like this one in future...
and please share some :D

MB said...

I wish the beautiful birthday girl a lifetime of happiness. She's already got a great start with an amazing, supportive, loving family.

I was so touched by your comment on my challenge post. Thank you!

Karen (formerly kcinnova) said...

Happy Birthday, Dahlia! You clearly have the unconditional love of your parents. My wish for you is that you hold tight to your own personhood as you navigate your teenage years. Be the wonderful person you were created to be and please remember to cherish your family (even when they might drive you a little bit crazy).

Elmira said...

Happy Birthday to her.

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Mojo said...

Wow. I knew Debbie's birthday was coming up today, but I didn't realize you had two on consecutive days! That must get pretty interesting, and especially with both of them falling in the same general impact area as Rosh Hoshanna (tell me I came close to spelling that right).

So many happy returns of the day ...erm... days... to both of the Levy women!

S said...

I wish you confidence and strength, many friends and happiness, and know, you are exactly who you are meant to be, a perfect, lovely young lady!

Happy Birthday, dear one.

Jenny said...

I would like for her to realize that she has the precious gift of a father who is wise enough to treasure the moment. When I saw the picture of Dahlia, it made me yearn to have one moment back of my children at any age of childhood.

Mira Yacoub said...

I think this is probably one of the sweetest things I have read eversince I joined blogger, which is very recently. I admire the love you have for your daughter that is ever-so-apparent in your few and simple words and your own admiration for her being. It's great to hear that this is the person she's growing up to be, especially at a very difficult time in her life --the transition into adolescence.
Happy birthday Dahila --if you are reading this-- I wish you all the best of luck in life...May all of your dreams become a reality...and may you always keep this pure soul and spirit alive!

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