Big dreams in a little package

"Me do it!" was probably the first sentence our oldest daughter ever spoke!  Laurie was smaller than most kids her age.  But when God was passing out independence and determination...he gave Laurie a double dose!  I can remember her little two-year-old fingers gently pushing my hand away as she struggled to get the banana in her wooden fruit puzzle... all by herself. 

So, it really shouldn't have been a surprise when Laurie declared the night before her first day of school that she intended to ride the bus to Lilburn Elementary School...all by herself...

Even then, I admired Laurie's tenacity and spunk...she always seemed to have a clear picture of what she wanted and had the courage to give it a try.  But this was her very first day of school...she had never ridden a school bus and besides she was so...little.   Laurie begged...she said she would be okay...she had friends on our street who were a year or two older that rode the bus...she could sit with them...she wasn't scared...she had always wanted to ride the bus her first day of school like the big kids! 

The morning came.  Laurie put on her size 3 navy blue plaid dress with red buttons!  She looked so cute and so small!  Chuck and I talked with her about what a fun day she was going to have at school.  We really wanted to drive her to school and walk her safely to her classroom. 

But Laurie's dream to ride the school bus was too important to her.  It was cool that morning so I made her wear her white sweater.  I pinned notes to her sweater and book bag with her name, teacher's name, room number and home phone number...just in case. 

We walked down to the end of the driveway and took her picture...a small girl with big plans...smiling from ear to ear.  Laurie rode the bus to school that day...she found her classroom all by herself...she liked her teacher...she made it safely home with tales to tell of her first day .  Independence...determination...baby steps to big dreams.  Laurie knew it then...and she lives it now.

There are only two lasting bequests

that we can give to our children. 

             One is roots, the other, wings.

                             Hodding Carter

Laurie lives in South Carolina with her husband Steve and two determined and independent daughters, Vivian(6) and Maggie(3). She owns and operates a successful business.

Comments

[Lori]

Today I hugged my oldest daughter extra tight as she left for her very first day of work at our local grocery store. She looked so grown up and confident in her work clothes...and that made me so very proud. Behind those grown up eyes I could still see the glint of that precious and innocent little girl inside and that made me smile...and then I prayed that the world would treat her gently, and that I'd done my job well, and that God would watch over those wings!

[Christy]

Ellie leaves for camp tomorrow at Toccoa Falls in GA. She is 9 and she is going 5 hours away with our church. I know it is best for her and will help her in her walk with God. It is still scary for me!!

[Debbie]

Christy and Lori,
Thanks for your comments. I guess watching your kids grow up is hard at any stage...but it's also really good to see them be able to spread their wings like your girls and become their own special person.
Debbie

[Teresa D Easley]

Hi Debbie....Where have you been? I check every day for your stories. I miss you guys. Teresa

[Debbie]

Hi, Teresa,
We have had our three grandchildren visiting us this week! They are 10, 6 and 3 years old so we've sort of had our hands full!! Before that we built a little stage in the backyard for them to do shows on. The heat and humidity has made live theater in the backyard a little miserable but we did manage a short talent show tonight after it cooled off a little. Don't give up on me!! I'll be back with another post on Saturday or Sunday. Thanks for noticing I was gone!
Debbie