The Week (in which I contemplate the fact that I am the parent of a teenager and all that this means)

I felt as if I handled my fortieth birthday quite well, and the two following, but now I have run head on into a wall so solid I cannot see my way past it. Sweetness turns thirteen this Wednesday. That single fact has made me feel older than the hills. I will be the parent of a teenager in just a few short days. It seems incomprehensible, inconceivable even. This is all offset by the joy that is Sweetness.

If I got to pick a child out of a catalog, I'd pick one just like Sweetness. She's smart, funny as heck, and incredibly creative. When she's awake, she lives to create. She's an elusive creature, hiding in her cave both during waking and non-waking hours these days. When we are fortunate to be graced with her presence, she brings laughter and a sense of wit and whimsy with her. I often feel like I won the lottery when I think about what a (mostly) delightful child I have. Then I need to remind myself that I do get to take some of the credit. I hope she feels as fortunate that I am her mom.



Sweetness and Bink-Summer 2006

Just yesterday she managed to maneuver her way through a social minefield with the ease of a seasoned veteran. She was invited to the Bat Mitzvah of a casual friend. While this friend is a lovely girl, some of her friends are not so lovely. Sweetness usually prefers to just avoid the whole scene, but knew it was important to her friend that she be there. She wore a respectful, but creative outfit, so that she fit in, but didn't compromise. She later attended the party portion where she was again forced into contact with people she'd rather avoid. I was concerned as I drove up to pick her up. Worried that someone had hassled her. As I was walked through the party scene to find her, I was pleasantly surprised at what I found. In the back room, Sweetness and a few friends were bouncing around singing "Panic" with The Smiths cranked full tilt. What a wonder she is.