Tuesday, March 1, 2011

Open a packet and cry tears of pure pride and joy!

     On the way home from school today my daughter informed me of a packet to her parents in her backpack.  It was a typical manila envelope only they had taken several security precautions and sealed it, opened the little metal clasp and taped it as well.   I was well aware of the special testing that they had been doing so I had my inklings. 
    The packet of papers would go on to tell me that my daughter was well...to put it simply...brilliant.  Her IQ was a lovely number and her scores and ranks and percentages exceeded the average.  Line after line just got better and better for pages.  What made me even more proud were the comments left by the teacher, counselor and psychologist.  She was a kind and creative girl with an ability to solve problems and see things in a new way.  The accolades went on and on.  I will spare you all of the quotes but do know that if you should come by my house I will be more than happy to show you. 
     I looked at this adorable little face...the one that is catching up to my own height all too quickly and the tears just started streaming.  I stood there explaining how proud I was and then why I was crying.  It overwhelmed me.  It was as if someone showed me the past 10 years in 10 seconds...the thoughts and images zipped through my mind.
      I ate right to prep for a baby.  I did everything right through the pregnancy.  I slept on the proper side and drank the right amounts of water, etc.  I went through 34 hours of labor knowing she would be worth it.  I breastfed for 14 months because I read somewhere that the longer you could go the smarter and stronger the baby would be.  I read to her when she was too little to hold a book and marveled at how she suddenly knew when to turn the page as a tiny kid.  She heard all types of music, ate food from all over the world and traveled as much as we could afford.  She was talked to and listened to and adored by many.  She took art and played sports and played music.  I wasted no time with this child.  Even summers were spent very carefully.  She was my masterpiece, my masters degree, my symphony, my Nobel prize, my novel.  As I stood in the kitchen watching this beautiful child smile at me I realized it was all worth it.  I question almost every aspect of my life and this was the chance to remind myself that the thing I valued the most turned out just perfectly.  All of the devotion and energy that I put into her little body will all come pouring back out for the world to feel.  I realize that nature vs nurture is at play.  Sure, she has two really bright parents (heh) and music and art and athleticism are in there as well...but I will not overlook the nurture part.  Nurtured....she WAS!  I held her and new thoughts poured over me as well.  I can't move fast enough to show her all that I want her to see.  Thank goodness I still have plenty of time. 
     Just when I doubted so much about my life a little manila packet brought me full circle.   She doesn't need to know just yet that her IQ already surpasses mine...but she will know the pride, joy and love of a mother who is her biggest fan.  My numbers for those things are off the charts as well!
   

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