27 down....497 to go in my Quest to have 524 new experiences in 2010
This one is a big one for me, up there with the connection I felt when I breastfed my daughters (TMI). I have four daughters, 28, 26, 18 and 16, so anyone that has every raised a teenage girl will understand this entry and celebrate with me.
With my first daughter I was SURE I wouldn't experience what other parents talked about, when their sweet little girl changes personalities almost over night, doesn't want to talk and share anymore etc. So when it happened I was truly blindsided. I honestly thought we would be different. That we had a connection strong enough that this wouldn't happen to us. Wrong. Maybe it was harder for me then because not only was I shocked, but I was so disapponted. So when my second daughter came into the mid to late teens and she too changed I was a bit more prepared. I didn't like it, I had hoped it wouldn't happen, but a part of me had been preparing for that day. Then my third daughter went through the door to what I call the Dark Side and I took a deep breath. (Now this one went through some really ugly times. Not that she did bad things, really none of them did, it was more of a personality stage. An 'ugliness' in spirit that I would see. In her case unfortunately I was going through the divorce at this very time so it made the whole situation worse for both of us. I even wondered at times if it was her personality rather than a "stage" she'd outgrow. But as time passed she pulled through and mercifully it was just a stage as I truly like her now.)
This leaves my last...my baby. While in many ways the youngest was the sweetest of the four growing up. She was definitely the most sensitive. Maybe that's why I knew it would be tough when she changed, as I was pretty sure (not positive) but pretty darn sure would happen. The funny thing is, well not really funny, but this one was the hardest for their dad. For the divorce didn't seem to faze her like it did the others as she was younger and just happy to be with him, so when her personality started changing he took it more personally as she wanted to be in her own space and time. I tried to remind him that the others had done the exact thing, but it was the first one he really felt.
Well back to my 'moment' last night. My youngest I am glad to say, is the only one still on the Dark Side. This just means that I'm not always sure which child I am dealing with on any given day. Don't get me wrong, she's a good kid and I love her dearly, but I do have to bite my tongue sometimes as I honestly think she can't control her moods during certain times fo the month. But I know that this too will pass and she, like her three sisters before her, will eventually think I'm wonderful again and she will finally come to the realization that I know a whole lot more than she ever gave me credit for.
Again back to our shared moments. Last night my daughter and I both watched the Grammys and they Rocked! I even thought about texting my oldest to see if she was watching them, but as I was taping it I figured if she didn't I'd have her watch them in replay. In this special night it was like young and old blended in a wonderful tapestry of color, texture and music. The producers brought the young and old in the music field together in a magical musical event. Taylor Swift sang together with Stevie Nicks, Lady Gaga with Elton John, Carrie Underwood, Jennifer Hudson and Usher with Celine Dion and Smokey Robinson. Through it all music transcended the years. It appeared that the young respected the older talents and vice versa...the way life should be across all disciplines.
My daughter and I both loved the show and appreciated it in different ways. While I think she enjoyed the straight on performances of the artists, I could appreciate something more. I loved both Pink and Beyonces showmanship and I admired and am in awe of the song writing talent of the young Taylor Swift, But the show also brought back a lot of memories for me. As I saw some of my old favorites and listened to their voices, I could remember where I was when I first listened to them. Stevie Nicks, Bon Jovie, Lionel Ritchie, Smokey Robinson, Roberta Flack, Elton John and all of the others were a part of my growing up. We didn't have quite the multitude of activities kids have today and music was a major part of my life. I could remember events tied to the music that was playing. The beauty of it all is their music is still valid and stood the test of time.
After the show ended and my daughter and I said our goodnights and headed to bed, my daughter oblivious to the fact that her mom's heart was a flutter with joy, I knew my baby was still my baby and that she too would be coming out on the other side soon. And for that I thank the Grammy's. It was indeed a special night.
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