Wednesday, December 12, 2012

Diana

This woman is a fierce red-head.  She is a force to be reckoned with.  She does not suffer fools gladly.  She is no respecter of status.  You will earn her respect or you will not be given more than what is dictated out of decency by being one of the billions who walks this earth.  Earn her disdain and you will know exactly what she thinks of you and why.

Her ferocity is not merely for the sake of being contrarian...any more.  She will unleash her wrath on oppressors of the weak or defenseless.  She is a defender of of those misunderstood by the masses.  I've seen her get in the face of bigger kids to defend a friend who was developmentally challenged.  I've been under her protection. After I demolished my arm and was freshly un-casted she hovered protectively on my left side so people in a crowd wouldn't accidentally bump me and she barked at anyone who came too close.  I've been told how she has let her supervisors where she works know she will not participate in breaking the spirits of the kids in the school.

With such an iron will and a willingness to express her unvarnished opinions she has not always been easy to parent but she has always amazed me.  In those awkward early adolescent years she seemed so comfortable in her own skin, in ways I never could have dreamed of being when I was the same age. 

She has struggled some since leaving home and wound up leaving school.  I had hoped a dose of the "real world" might convince her to go back to college but it has not.  Instead she has chosen to live on her own and has found her own way to finance her life.  She contentedly keeps things simple so she can afford to be on her own, forgoing certain "necessities" most folks her age would find unthinkable to do without.

She's done a lot of growing in the last year or so.  She has softened a bit.  She asks for advice because she wants to hear it.  Sometimes she even takes it.  When she doesn't and I have raised concerns she has been able to tell me (respectfully rather than defiantly) , "It may be a mistake, but it's MY mistake and if there are consequences they will be MINE too."  She's still forging her own way with confidence. 

Twenty-two years ago she screamed into the world letting us know she intended to make her mark.  She's showing she wants it to be a good one.  May it be indelible.  Happy birthday to my amazing daughter!

18 comments:

stephen Hayes said...

Happy birthday Diana. You have sure made your mom proud.

Craig said...

"It may be a mistake, but it's MY mistake and if there are consequences they will be MINE too."

Good for her. I have come to understand that my own biggest failing as an adult has been that I didn't fail enough when I was younger. If she just isn't afraid to fail, that will stand her incredibly well as she goes along.

As you know, our kids have had their own struggles, and it has been painful to watch. But we've come to learn not to hover over them, and try to catch them when they fall, but let them learn from their mistakes. One of the very best gifts we can give our kids, is the consequences of their own actions. And that can be incredibly hard to do.

Happy Birthday to yer red-headed birth-child. I'll, uh, try to stay on her good side. . .

;)

Tabor said...

Being comfortable in one's own skin is perhaps one of the greatest status places we can help our children achieve. Self confidence, even if saddled with a little hubris, will bode well for her in the years to come.

Kat said...

This puts a lump in my throat. The love you have for this girl coats your words so richly that it makes me swoon.
A true gem in this world today. And I have no doubt who she learned a good bit of it from. The apple doesn't fall far from the tree, you know. :)
Happy Birthday to your wise, fierce, independent, unique, lovely lady!

Bijoux said...

Diana and my oldest sound like they would be best friends. She should consider a career in nursing. Mine spends her nights telling doctors what to do and enjoys every minute of it. Maybe it's a ginger thing!

(M)ary said...

She sounds like a lady who knows her own mind and that will carry her thru whatever choices she makes. Happy 12/12/12 birthday.

Rob said...

...a force to be reckoned with... does not suffer fools gladly... no respecter of status... You will earn her respect or you will not be given more than what is dictated out of decency... Earn her disdain and you will know exactly what she thinks of you and why...

I CANNOT imagine where she gets any of these traits! Oh, that's right, the apple never falls far from the tree -- and what a strong, upstanding, bountiful, graceful tree spawned this shining apple of her mother's eye! No wonder your heart is full of joy and pride twenty-two years hence the day you welcomed her into the world! Congratulations to your beautiful daughter for making her way so determinedly in the world -- and congratulations to you for helping to guide and shape such an outstanding young woman, Michelle!

We Sagittarians are rather remarkable, come to think of it! ;-D

Commander Zaius said...

Happy Birthday Diana!

She contentedly keeps things simple so she can afford to be on her own...

That's the mark of a wise adult.

Secret Agent Woman said...

The world needs more uppity women! A very happy birthday to your daughter!

Sailor said...

Happy Birthday to Diana! Sounds like she's making her way jusssst fine :)

Anonymous said...

Nice. You done good.

betty said...

Happy birthday to your daughter! I hope she had a great day! I would imagine she's going to be just fine no matter what she chooses about going back to school or not.

betty

Daryl said...

happy birthday to one heck of a young woman.. the apple(s) don't fall far from the tree(s)

Craver Vii said...

Happy birthday to Diana! I like her bright, no-nonsense reputation.

Leave It To Davis said...

My son turned 22 in September and he went one year to college, too. He also has decided to work and do without the debt that college brings and just do without luxuries that others think are necessities. He thinks the same way as your daughter....that this is his life to live his way and they will be his mistakes...but so far, he has made good decisions. They sound so much alike! Because when he was in jr. high and the football players would pick on the little kids, my son would stand in between them protecting the weaker kids....my son has always been taller than other kids his age and larger, too. He still protects those weaker. We have two wonderful young adults. Congratulations to your daughter on beind 22 and independent.

Hilary said...

You raised her right.. that's for sure. Happy Birthday to your beautiful daughter.

Suldog said...

Happy Birthday!

I think everybody who has some characteristic not in the majority (being left-handed, having a ring finger longer than your middle finger) ascribes certain positive things to themselves. These are not always true. However, as a redhead myself (or, at least, a former one, as now it is a combination of skin and blondish white hair) I can attest to the fact that ALL redheads have a certain amount of contrariness in their nature. I absolutely question authority at all times, and the worst way to ever get me to do something, even something that is obviously good for me, is to order me to do it. On the other hand, we are fiercely loyal to those we love.

So I salute my fellow redheaded bulldog. Long may you embrace the oddness while rebelling against that which is patently absurd!

Jocelyn said...

Congratulations to her beautiful self--and to her parents, who figured out how to let her be herself.

Now, could you sway her at all to turn her passionate nature towards haranguing the gun lobby?