~~~PROUD~~~

         

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp8Az13Olws

Sometimes if you are lucky in there are moments in your life that simply take your breath away. And by take your breath away, I mean, knock your socks off, make your heart swell with pride, cause tears to just stream down your face until you just have to give in to the sobs of joy and finally you just realize that ,"THIS," is what you have worked so damn hard for.  Last Friday night was that moment in time for me.  Watching Brinkley stand in front of nearly 250 police officers, giving a speech on the impact of an impaired driver hitting her father while he was at work was one of the proudest moments of my life.  To see my little girl stand before these big tough men and women, watching this tiny little girl, bring them to tears, watching her bring her Daddy to tears, was awe inspiring.  She was tough.  She was brave.  She was knock down drag out strong to get up there and belt out her speech without as much as one, "um," or, "uh."

I knew my little girl was a good public speaker but little did I know just how great she would be under these circumstances.  I must have had 50 or more people come up to me to compliment just how eloquently my daughter speaks in public. The biggest surprise was when one of the Arizona State Representatives who is a member of the House of Representatives and the chairman of transportation appropriations banking and insurance asked if Brinkley would please come down to the State Capitol and present her speech to the house of Representatives.

Like they say, a picture is worth a thousand words..... the way Tommy is looking at his baby girl in these photos is worth more than a thousand words.... and completely priceless to me!!!  I am so proud of this little girl.  I sent an email to her teacher explaining how grateful I am for the gift of teachers and their constant teaching of public speaking in her school.  Today I got the chance to have a quick conversation with her before lunch about the email.  Brinkley's teacher told me that she cried when she read the email, which made me cry.  I showed her Brinkley's speech from the task force.  Miss Pekara had tears running down her cheeks.  I know how proud she is of Brinkley.   She plans to share my email with the staff just to make sure that they know that all their hard work does get noticed, by more than just the parents.

Miss Binky, we are so proud of you.  You can see it in the way your Daddy is looking at you in these photos. We all know that Daddy would never cry in public unless it was something that meant the world to him!!!! You did something that not many adult are capeable of doing and you should be so very proud of yourself young lady!!!!  We love you so very much!!!!!!  We can't wait to see you present this speech in front of the people at the State Capitol!!!!!        

Field Trip

On Tuesday, January 25, I got to go with Miss Binky, to the capitol, for her class field trip.  It started out as a disaster and her teacher was mad.  When the bus driver can't get to the right school from the get go, the class suffers, and suffer, these kids did.  Brinkley's class literally had 7 minutes to eat their lunch and missed out on the entire last part of the field trip so that totally sucked.  Brinkley got completely car sick on the way home since they didn't get to eat.  Poor kiddo came home early from school.  All in all, it was a fun day for us to spend together, she just spent the rest of the afternoon sick.  I have not been to the capitol before, so we got to spend some good quality time chit chatting and laughing!!!!  Thanks for inviting me Binky....and for having Mrs. Raj ask me to come!!!!

PS.  Looking at the model of the U.S.S Arizona and the little room about Pearl Harbor sure did bring back all the memories of my 7 trips to Hawaii........I am thinking the all my little's are ready for that trip.  And I think my big, little boy is ready for that trip is ready as well.  I can't wait to take them all there to see the ship and the memorial... and to North Shore and Motsumoto's Shave Ice (because no snow-cones can ever compare to those baby's...EVER) and Diamond Head and snorkeling in Hanauma Bay oh so many places to go and things to do.....even if Tahiti blows Hawaii away......  oh man......  time to start saving the pennies now!!!!!!!!!!

Left

I, at the very least, expected a single tear.
Maybe a hug that lasted a bit longer than normal.
A smile that, only a Mom would notice, was on the verge of.....

Anything....
Something......
alas,
Nothing.

Nothing......
But.........
The anticipation was in the air.
The excitement was loud.
The giddiness was contagious.

She was ready.
Hand in hand she walked with her best cousin.
Smiling and
Laughing and
Plotting and
Planning and
Singing and
Dancing and
Skipping and.....
Just being little and happy!

I, on the other hand, was not. I thought I was. We talked for hours about being away at camp. We talked about the fun she would have and all the friends she will make and the horses she will ride and the hikes and art and games and food and all things "girl camp!" I half hoped that there would be any hesitation in her so that I could comfort her fears away. A little worry or maybe some skepticism. (they only issue we had was whether there were open showers or individual ones)

Instead, she bolted for the BIG bus and never looked back. Ready for the week that awaits!

While I choked back a sob.
I think I was ready to faint.

I just put my little girl on a very BIG bus, for outdoor explorer camp. For the next 6 days and 5 nights. I can only think I have lost my mind. I watched all the other parents, including my own sister, drive away even before the bus left the lot. We had to wait until the bus left the lot... and even then, I was scanning the freeway to make sure that they made it all 500 feet to the entrance.

I can't call the little darling and I can't text her. We can write letters and mail them off, the old fashioned way. We also get to email each other, but not directly to one another. I am sure she will have a blast and we will keep busy as well. I just know that I am already missing the little spitfire that keeps the noise level and blood pressure .... waaaaay too high, around this house!!!!!

6 days and 5 nights ...... I CAN DO THIS!