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Monday, July 23, 2012

A Natural Brave Girl.

Side note: ease forgive the lack of photos, I'm doing everything by my phone as I'm too cheap to pay $12 a day for Internet at the hotel! Which really should be free...

As I was riding the tandem bike with my husband today, I formulated this post. I had a lot of time to think, as we rode about 18-20 miles. And no, that's not surprising for him. For me, I'm glad it was flat and all along the coast!
I was reflecting about how yesterday, when Brenna marched her little self straight into the pool of dolphins with complete strangers, my husband turned to me and said, "now THAT'S a brave girl."

It made me think about both of my girls. My eldest has gone to and lived in several foreign countries, beginning at age 14. She has never batted an eye at going to sleep away camp, nor has she shied away from the stage. When we dropped her off for the first year away at college, her words to us were, "Bye! See ya soon. Love you!" I left in utter desolation and came to my senses the next day that if she was that happy, I shouldn't be that sad. I have learned so much from her.

Then there is Brenna.
Oh, that girl has never met someone she doesn't like. Including the stranger in the McDonald's when she was about 5. He was a man of large size and she ran straight up to him in line and gave him a big hug and told him all about French fries. It was more difficult to understand her back them and he looked at Doug with sad eyes and asked, "did she say I have large thighs??" Doug told home what she had really said about french fries. The man slowly began to smile and proceeded to tell my husband he had not had a hug in several years and he was very thankful for the one from our daughter.

She has gone to sleep away camps as well. Brenna had made several school changes, as well as learned to put up with blood draws and doctors all her life.

The first time on take off on an airplane, she threw here hands up as if she were in a roller coaster and yelled, "yahooooooo!" at the top of her lungs. She wanted to do it all over again as soon as we were airborne.

So. Putting On a wetsuit, shaking hands and introducing herself to her group of 5, walking into 64 degree water and learning how to kiss a dolphin, feed it a fish, give it hand signals and ride the back of it? Eh....piece of cake.

I've learned a lot from her as well.

xo
lynn

9 comments :

  1. what a fun time!
    She is brave, I would have jitters going in!
    Your bike ride sounds delightful, I am jealous.
    I bet you are having the time of your life. So glad you are having a great time with the whole family.
    Cheers
    Amy

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  2. I smiled for most of this post and then the tears welled up in my eyes...I'm not sure why...maybe it's because I feel like I know Brenna even though I have never met her. You describe her so well and your love for both of your girls shines through every word. I'm thinking that they got their courage from their mom (and probably dad too!) as they have watched you try new things and take risks even when you haven't known if you would succeed. That is a pretty awesome legacy I would say! :-)
    Love, Vanessa

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  3. LOVED this post! I want to grow up and be Brenna some day.

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  4. Your girls are amazing.. as well as you!! Such a loving mom to allow their growth as you have given them wings to fly. I am not yet that brave. Elizabeth just recently spent the night away at her nana and popops house.. 5 minutes AWAY!! As I was leaving I reminded her to say her prayers with her GP's, and she said; I will.. and I'll be praying for you that you wouldn't WORRY SO MUCH MOM! hehe.. I am so NOT the brave girl Lynn!

    Love your blog posts.. have an amazing time with your loved ones! xoxo

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  5. Such a heartwarming post. You are one proud mom and your girls are so lucky to have you!

    Hugs~

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  6. This post made me smile, Lynn...you are blessed with those brave girls of yours!

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  7. Lynn-- you really are blessed--- we could all take some life lessons from Brenna. Sounds like your getaway is just wonderful. Actually I would think that any day with Brenna would be special--
    Vicki

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  8. i'm so glad i visited today - what a beautiful post. i have loved getting to know brenna through your stories...let her know her friend in alaska sends her huge happy birthday wishes! daughters are such fabulous things to have! i wish i had half the courage my own girl has...
    have a great week lynn!

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  9. I only wish I were a big brave girl like Brenna! I just use it as my mantra when I need moral support... "I'm a big brave girl, I'm a big brave girl..." I actually think I got it from Rug Rats years ago! Tell her we all think she is pretty amazing!!
    Your bike ride sounds awesome, Duane and I try to fit one in every night, boy a tandem sounds great, I wonder if he would notice if I took a break up the killer hill we tackle? :)
    I loved the post about your studio, cuz I just love to see your creations and now it puts it all together for me. This is where Lynn creates her masterpieces! When I saw that it was WBC my room was in a shambles (worse than that before photo of yours) but now it's clean and I even boxed up some treasures that I use for assemblage because I just don't have the time right now, and I think looking at them was making me anxious! I am saving them for another day. Maybe mid winter!
    It was so nice to visit with you this morning before my day really starts. Have a wonderful vacation, it looks like you are making some amazing memories! Happy Birthday Brenna!! t.xoxoxoxo

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