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Thursday, September 18, 2008

When I Grow Up

I want to be just like Patience. We went on a date last Saturday morning- breakfast just the two of us. After "Manera Bread", we went to the park. She saw something new- Monkey Bars she could actually reach.In keeping with the gentle yet persistent spirit she was created with,She hopped right up there and tried, and tried, and tried. She could get my help, yes, but she didn't really want it. This was all about challenging herself. See, she's been this way every day we've known her. She doesn't really require persistent praise, or assistance or encouragement to keep going when something is hard. The joy in doing the thing until you get it right seems to be what she treasures most.
But you can bet she got some praise from me. So, even though after 30 minutes she never got past this point, she was having a spectacular time. She'd get here, then lose her grip and fall down- first few times on her bottom, but in no time, she knew just how to do it- both feet planted firmly on the ground.

It's really important to learn how to fall.

Every time she dropped, she'd quietly get up, and climb that ladder again. I know not to interrupt her in times like this- she had that determined look on her face that I've seen hundreds of times, and in that moment, it was just Patie and the Monkey Bars, and the rest of the world just went away.

In the end, all she had to take home with her was a sandy bottom, and a new found passion. We went to that park four times last week.
The first time we went back, while hopping out of the van, she informed me she was going to "Rock those Monkey Bars".

And she did.

12 comments:

Ashlie said...

GOOD JOB Patience!!

A Crafty Mom said...

How amazing . . . what a wonderful little girl who so totally lives up to her name, for sure!! And I'm in love with that blond hair - it is stunning!!!!

anne said...

What a sweet girl. She is so adorable Megan...but you already know that. What a fun day, you go rock those monkey bars Patie!!!
Can I be like her too when I grow up? :)
ps-
I wish we lived closer. I want to hang out this weekend!

Anonymous said...

Adorable :)

Lisa said...

What a sweet, sweet post. She's just adorable, and I love her persistent spirit!!! Go Patience!

amanda said...

great post friend :)

love that she "rocked the monkey bars"

yay for patience!!

Jenn Boerger said...

Megan, I just love to hear about your kiddos, and especially when you write so eloquently about their strengths. It's a tribute to Christ how you find the strengths in others, especially your children. And I just love how well you admire them all for the things they can do, and appreciate the gifts they are given, each unique.

Anne Elizabeth said...

I love this post! The pictures are so cute too. Patience is so precious.

Beth Cotell said...

She actually said she was going to rock the bars?? I love that!

Anonymous said...

This post made me tear up. Isn't it amazing how unique and special each of our children are created? AND - how awesome to think that each snippet of their personalities are pieces of Who God is!

Tarrah said...

Oh Megan, what a beautiful person, inside and out, she is! What a wonderful personality for you to watch grow :)

stacey said...

What a sweet post! She is so cute :)

I love how you wrote:
"It's really important to learn how to fall.", it is SO true but I have such a hard time with this~ Thanks for the reminder:)