An Early 'Aha-Moment'

Just the other day I was telling Melissa this story about herself. It's one I thought I had told her a million times ~ but to my surprise, she had never heard it!

When she was in elementary school, we lived in Paris, in an apartment on a big boulevard. We walked everywhere...to and from school, to the parks, to our local markets...and back and forth from all the kid's lessons and activities. I loved all this walking, because with so much walking came lots of talking! One afternoon we were 'speed walking' from Melissa's swim class, up the boulevard, to her dance class. When we were about half way there, my third grade daughter stopped me in my tracks. She looked  up at me and said, "Just so you know, I am not that kid. I am not the kid who can run from one activity to another and fill up a schedule and have no down time. I need down time. I don't like having activities back to back."

I remember exactly where we were standing. And that it was a cool, clear, sunny day. And I remember my surprise at her declaration. Surprise because she knew herself so well....and joy that she was able to express herself so well. Such a grown up realization from such a little girl!

We did make it to dance class that day.

Bon bon rehearsal was important, after all!