June 22, 2011
Dear Grace,
Happy 9th Birthday!
Can you believe I’m starting this letter nearly six weeks after your actual birthday? Although, you may recognize this paper from one of the souvenirs we bought at the Louvre? The good news, as I write on our flight from Paris to Boston (you and Harry are sitting behind Dad and me watching Wild Hogs), is I have nearly six hours to write you!
We’ve had an amazing vacation, an adventure really, filled with ups and downs, good and bad surprises. As always, I’m proud of you and Harry! You handled many metro, RER, and TGV train rides as we navigated our way through Paris and the Loire Valley. Before arriving in France, you most wanted to see the Eiffel Tower. Upon reflection, the Eiffel Tower did seem to be a personal favorite. You carefully selected the plastic Eiffel Tower miniature monument as a memento after reviewing smaller, key chain versions, metal ones, or even multi-colored options with rhinestones! You liked browsing in gift shops and at sidewalk vendor displays. I had fun watching you select a coral-colored “Paris scarf” and then wrapping different styles around your neck. Wearing the scarf as we explored Paris streets inspired your creative style. You developed two new hairstyles, the first by grabbing a section of hair by your face and putting it in a hair band and the second style involved sections of braids. You learned to braid hair on this trip. Shortly after buying the scarf, you talked repeatedly about your newfound interest in learning foreign languages. While Dad and I partook in a French course for almost three months before our trip, the ability to speak fluently in another language doesn’t compare to acquiring a few words, phrases, or verbs of a second language to just get by. I am curious if your desire to learn a second language continues. You were funny though about striking up a conversation with a gentleman seated nearby. Once situated in our plane seats, you asked him if he spoke English. When he told you he did (although I noticed his distinct French accent) you said, “Finally, we can speak English again!” He didn’t take offense. He then explained his dual citizenship between the U.S. and France. He asked about your favorite attractions in Paris. You asked him if he had ever seen the Mona Lisa (which he found amusing because he chuckled), he replied, “I’ve seen her so many times she probably knows who I am.” As the years pass, please remember to share your fondest memories of France with me. Beholding you, Harry, and Dad in a foreign land, learning another culture, trying new foods (like Nutella crepes), touring castles built in the 1600’s, navigating the sewer tour, deciding how to spend Euros, identifying the “Raspail” stop on the metro, swinging at Leuxembourg Garden Park, and strolling through Harry’s and my favorite area of Paris, St. Germain, are treasured memories! Will you remember cranky Anne Vezin and her unusual four-story apartment on Rue du Boissonade? Will you remember watching episodes of “Friday Night Lights” after spending our days touring one of the most historic and culturally rich cities in the world!? I hope you DON’T remember waking up in the middle of the night to puke your guts out after eating at an American style restaurant called Hippopotamus. I was relieved the bout only lasted a few hours given the e-coli spread in Germany. Will you remember your Cat 3 meltdown outside Notre Dame over whether or not to buy ice cream? In fairness to you, we all had a few meltdowns given the trip’s length, the complexity of getting around, and our constant watch over you and Harry in a foreign land. One thing we all agree at this point, we’re homesick and miss Augie, Brownie, Luna, and Rodger. Remember my dear, home is where the heart is…
I hope our time in Boston is filled with fond memories too. I’ll add more tomorrow on our flight from Boston to Salt Lake City.
June 23, 2011
We’re now, after an hour delay in Boston due to rain, on our flight to Salt Lake City. We had a nice time in Boston, meeting old friends for dinner. My favorite part of our Boston trip was the Duck tour. Our guide, PJ, was hilarious! We learned about Paul Revere’s ride through Boston, who accompanied him, and that he actually did not complete the ride. Paul Revere had several careers, including mortician and dentist (he’s supposedly responsible for concluding that a dead body can be identified through dental records). He also had 16 children (8 with two different wives). But our best laughs came when you drove the boat! PJ, our captain, truly engaged you. She asked your favorite subject in school, you responded, “P.E”! She also had you chattering about Augie and Brownie!
As for your 3rd grade school year…from what I observed, it was one of your best years yet. Ms. Moner was your teacher and while you didn’t always seem to love her, you learned (and grew) a tremendous amount this year. She’s sincere about teaching and works very hard for her students. It seems sometimes you confuse a strict style or serious tone as “yelling at you” or “not being nice to you”. Please understand that these behaviors may not be directed at you, but rather based on someone’s mood. Learning not to take actions (or words) too personally, I believe, is a sign of growth. Your best friends this year were again friends from class: Ella, Sky, and Alyssa. From my limited perspective, you seem to be more comfortable with one or two close friends than in a large group. If so, you may find that works well for you as you move into Middle and High School where there can be more pressure to be part of a group (or clique). I always found that I was happier, and more myself, when I had friends based on their inner qualities rather than their outward appearances. I suspect in that arena; you’ll do just fine. Frankly, I’m more concerned about Harry as he tends to preoccupy himself with “who” is friends are…and this year, he took a few missteps. Harry is an amazing kid who with our love, support, and guidance proves to make good decisions that set himself and those around him up for success. Because after all, our lives become a series of events followed by opportunities to make decisions. From time-to-time, life always throws a few wild cards that test our capacity and ability to cope. While this past year has been filled with happy moments, we’ve experienced a devastating blow: Dad’s recurrence of colorectal cancer. His team of physicians had been monitoring suspicious retroperitoneum lymph nodes for several months. Because the lymph nodes were difficult to diagnostically reach, his doctors felt waiting until there was more certainty they were cancerous was indicated. Oh Grace, this is one of the most traumatic situations a family could face. Dad’s health is stable now, but his long-term prognosis is not good. There’s a strong probability his cancer will recur; it’s just a matter of when and where and what can be done. I try hard to live in the moment, but there’s a constant underlying stressor that affects each of us and in different ways. You seem to need expressing yourself occasionally to those around you including Ms. Moner and classmates. Do you remember telling your class during Super Special Person week that your Dad has cancer? You’ve shown me that you already possess an inherent ability to take care of self. Emotionally, you went through a phase of being the best little girl possible. I spoke with a counselor about our family situation. For a child to behave above and beyond, such as you were, is quite common and a normal reaction. I suspect that in your mind you may have been thinking that if you’re a good girl, Dad is going to be alright. How I wish his complicated and serious illness could be that easily cured. Dad (and me too) have been on edge lately. I want you to know how sorry I am that you and Harry are experiencing our emotions too. Honestly, the desire to stay strong for Dad, Harry, and you helps me better deal with this awful situation. Horses provide a type of therapy for my soul that is difficult to describe in words. Their beauty, smell, touch, moving cadence, and above all else, their keen awareness of human emotion helps me stay present and grounded. Perhaps you’ll find a special outlet just for you.
This year, you enjoyed snowboarding. You’re also super excited about trying a Karate camp in July. You had a blast during the talent show for which you, Ella, Sky, and Alyssa performed a gymnastics routine to the song Jordan by Bucket Head. Much to your dismay, you’ve continued piano. I’m thrilled you’re still taking lessons that may cultivate a life-long appreciation for music! You also say you’d still like to be a veterinarian. Veterinary medicine has been an interest for a few years now. I’m glad to support you in that endeavor in any way possible.
I’d like to finish this letter at home because there are a few short stories I actually remembered to jot down.
O.k., the stories to include are: First, while on the drive to Santa Fe for Thanksgiving with Aunt Annabelle and Uncle Charles, we discussed the rental property for our stay. You referred to the rental property as “our foster home for the weekend” which we thought was a unique use of the word “foster”. Second, one afternoon during Thanksgiving weekend we hiked with Tato and Ricci and you cleverly devised a way to retell the story about the lunatic who nearly ran over Ricci by substituting “beep” for each expletive Uncle Charles screamed at the driver!
On that note…
I’ll be writing again next year!
All my love always, Mom
