Gracie: August 2006 Archives

When Colby was growing up she unfolded in front of me much like flipping the pages of a book. Neat and tidy. Conservative and conventional. Smart and wise beyond her years. Beautiful and so very nurturing. Searching and finding her way slowly, never in a rush to be finished with childhood. With my Gracie it is so VERY different. It is almost like I am watching her unfold her wings and stretch for the first time. She already knows who she is. She is just on the path of growing into that young woman. Monday we went down to the school house and she met her new teacher. Before going she primped and preened. She was dressing herself so that "the teacher can see my style and know who I am." Huh? Growing up much too fast - but very much with her own "fashion and style". Yesterday (Tuesday) as we ran errands, just her, me and Steven, she asked for a pair of shoes like converse all stars but not converse because she didn't want a brand name. "People might think we are rich or something and won't like me because they think I am snotty." Huh? Gracie is my gypsy. She wants her hair cut short but loves wearing it long tied with long scarves, beaded and flowing. She loves pop music. She loves Barbie. She loves fashion. This summer with my neice. Orlando Bloom tops the list of "hot guys". Huh? She loves jeans. Long and short. She would not be "caught dead in tie dye". Crocs "make me want to vomit." She is opinionated. She is wild. She is free. She loves her life. She tries so hard to enjoy every single minute of it. Yesterday was the first day of 3rd grade. Her wings spread just a little farther and I felt a pang in my chest as I looked at this girl who was leaving the 'little' part of little girl behind and turning into this young girl who was ready and willing to meet the world head-on. Ready to take on the world -not without me but with me standing a little farther behind her.
Her Target bag is full of black and white marble composition books.
She needed 6 for school this year. What are you teachers doing with them?

Setting: Kitchen, evening, getting supper on the table. I am standing at the stove making plates for everyone. Colby is at the table feeding Steven mashed potatoes because he can't wait when he smells food. Steve is wandering about the kitchen because he never takes his seat at the table until I do. Gracie is in the fridge getting out steak sauce and other things when she says, "I am trying to get the condoms for the table. You know, all those sauces and things we need to eat proper." Steve made a very good attempt at the transition to the word condiments by way of condo's but he was about to hyperventilate when he thought he might have to address the subject 'condoms'. He was quite red in the face and bit sweaty in a matter of just a few seconds. All I could do was laugh. Today is the first day of school for Gracie. We leave in a few minutes. I'll be back later to post a photo. First day in third grade.
She can't believe I brought the camera to school and not real impressed with me at the moment.