Dance with Mommy

I hear two things very often. 1. Suzy dances to the beat of her own drum. 2. She is just like me. After going through a ton of old documents and photos from my childhood, these two really hit me. Reading my old report cards and looking at my old crafts, Suzy really is a lot like me when I was her age. I'm concerned for her, and want what's best for her. Doesn't every mother? We are talking more frequently about Kindergarten now and what placements, times, etc. would be best for her. I am more confused the more I think about it and research. Maybe it's just the research.... it's not my strong point. Ha!

Can you guess which ones are me? Which ones could easily be Suzy?
How about the grump in the front. The non-conformer in the green....

How about here?
The girl who cut her own hair and wears overalls when every other little girl is wearing frills. Plus, the one who has climbed the highest.

It's no secret that I am not especially fond of some of my choices in childhood. Nor is it a secret that my mother and I hardly speak. Most days I put all the blame on myself. I'm sure I was difficult to raise, just like Suzy. There are times I feel like I could never talk to Suzy again. By God's mercy, I feel like I understand her and why she does some of the things she does. I believe I understand her better than my mother understands me. It's the timeless conflict of wanting better for your children. I've made several decisions in my adult life that I believe will help Suzy have less baggage than I had. However, I can't completely protect her or dwell in my own past. I know I have struggled with feeling loved and accepted. She's so like me. A bit of a loner with not so great social skills. How do I prepare her for life? How do I help her understand she is loved by many here on earth as well as in Heaven, where it really counts. So that her scars will heal faster than mine did? Do we coddle her and protect her in a little private Christian school? Or toss her into public school where she will have great academics and more available resources....

Oy, vey... Please feel free to comment away. I want to protect her, but not blind her. I want her to grow to be the beautiful woman God desires her to be. He trusted me and Rob to help guide her. I pray for her constantly, but I feel such responsibility that Rob and I have to make the earthly decisions...

She does beat to her own drum. But, so did I. I just desire with all my heart that her tune is happier and that I can dance along with her for the rest of her life....

Just for fun... My mom enrolled me in modeling school. For our "hobby" outfit I chose Michael Jackson. All the other girls did cheerleader, dance, roller skating, etc. "One of these things is not like the other...." Ha! I bet Suzy could dance to that. ;)