Sylvia's Eleven

Was it really eleven years ago today? I can't believe that.

Sylvia's heart can burst from all that it feels and all the love there is to give. I'll be honest, I get annoyed sometimes with just how much she feels everything, but at the same time, I try not to let it show too much because I think it's better to know what we feel than not.

I asked her a few days ago what she's like at school - is she totally different than at home? And she said yes, "but you'd like it, Mommy. I'm way quieter at school!" So I guess she's got a lot of pent-up stuff by the time we get home.

But when she's happy...her energy can light up the sky. She's so creative, and shows definite artistic skills. She was drawing better than me at the age of 4. She can sing, dance, and her acting has stolen many a play! She's funny, smart, has a strong sense of fairness and equality.

She loves with all her heart. She strives to be the best at everything she tries. She makes friends easily, and can adapt to situations. She doesn't know how to be disingenuous.

I don't know what she'll be when she grows up. She shows an interest in so many things, and I encourage that as much as possible. I think it'll be important to her to truly love whatever she ends up doing.

Two years ago, homework time was a battle zone between the two of us. Now, she gets it out without my having to remind her. I'm pleasantly surprised by this streak of independence.

I used to worry about her a great deal. I used to worry that she'd follow my steps into an unhealthy relationship, but I'm learning more and more that she's not me. She's already surpassed me in how she handles her dad. She loves him, but doesn't depend on him. I worried that she might follow her dad down the path of drug addiction, but now I know that she knows too much about it and loves herself too much to go down that road.

She's truly special. Slowly but surely, she's growing up. But not too fast. One birthday, one year at a time.

(Happy Halloween!)