HNT-Birthday

Many years ago today my daughter Calypso came into the world. I don't have great pictures of her as a newborn because we had recently been robbed and relieved of our nice camera. She was born in Trinidad and is quite proud of that fact. A lot of our Trini friends were quite proud of her being born there as well. I think spending her whole life in utero there must have had something to do with her sense of rhythm and love of music. She could never be soothed without music and rocking together. She bounced in time to music from age 6 months on...we have video to prove it. She has played violin, piano, clarinet and oboe. She recently convinced a friend to teach her some basic things on the drums. She's been asking about playing my guitar. At the rate I'm going (or not going) she'll probably pick it up in no time once I show her a few things. When she was 9 and a bunch of other kids in her school sang along weakly to their favorite CDs for the school talent show, she stood on stage and blew the audience away with an a capella rendition of 'Ain't No Sunshine.' She just found out this week she made the cut for show choir next year. She may have been doubtful but no one else was.

She has a bit of flair for the dramatic too, sometimes in that wonderfully creative way, sometimes in that maddening teenage girl way. She has always had her own unique style. She is sensitive and easily wounded but that same sensitivity inclines her to be the friend who always listens to the hurting kids at school. I love my girl and I am so proud of her.

Happy birthday, Calypso. Keep making music, keep shining.

HHNT