In Praise of My Girls (Toben)

OK, I am tired of being a downer in this blog I think that most of the time I write with a tinge of anxiety or sadness or hurt. But not in today's blog. Joanne told me this morning that each day she tries to think of a few things she is thankful for. So I am going to follow her lead.

I am thankful for my girls--all three of them. And that's an understatement. I don't know how two parents can create two such different kids, but we have done it! Each is so unique and so wonderful. Audrey is a lot like I was when I was  a kid. She is mildly rebellious--like she is trying to rebel but just can't push the boundaries far enough to lapse into full blown rebellion. She's a pretty straight arrow kid--her worst behavior is when she gets profane, and to her, that's as rebellious as she gets. I think she tries to dress rebelliously too or do her makeup a little extreme but as I was watching the kids get off her bus yesterday I realized that Audrey pretty much dresses like everyone else. Some days she wears PJs to school. And there were at least two other girls that got off the bus yesterday wearing PJs! So I guess that's just a thing that high school kids do sometimes.

I love that she speaks her mind! There is no guess work with her for the most part. I think it would be really hard if she were to close off completely, but for the most part she lets it fly, at least with me, and I can help her work through whatever is bugging her. And she is brave! She went from home school and a class of two students, to Christian school with a class of thirty, to high school with a class of 1000--the largest high school in the state of Colorado. And she barely freaked out. There was some minor freaking but she marched in there and made a place for herself. I am so proud of her and feel lucky to be her dad.

Emma is equally amazing in her own way. I have never met a kid more diligent. If she has something to do, she gives it her full attention and won't let go until she is finished. She had a major project for school this week that probably took her 20 hours to complete. But she kept her head down, and put in the time every day to make sure that it would be done.

She is also a pretty easy going kid and takes life as it comes. Sometimes when she is really pushed she will have a flash of anger, but it is so rare that when it happens it's worth paying attention to because there isa good reason for it. She's not one to fly off the handle. When she does get angry or upset I go into hyper-observant mode because I really want to understand what is upsetting her--it's usually something that I can walk through with her and get her back on an even keel. I hurt for Emma because I think she still really greives Joanne's stroke (like we all do) but she defintely looks at the bright side when it would be so easy to go to a very dark place. I also love that she has a sweet spirit. I call her "happy heart" becasue that;s just the way she is.

I was texting with Joanne yesterday and told her that even though she thinks she needs me more than I need her, that she is totally wrong. I would be lost without Joanne. She has a hard life--I will not chronicle that here because this is supposed to be a happy blog, but she gets up every day and faces what needs to be faced. She is always so appreciative of the help she gets. Her most frequent words to me are , "I love you," and "thank you." Every little thing I do for her she acknowledges and thanks me for. Even after almost two years I have never felt taken for granted by her. That is a testament to her character. 

And what a sense of humor that girl has! We sit in car line waiting to pick Emma up from school for about 20 minutes each afternoon and I think we spend most fo the time laughing. And it's usually at other's expense. We listen to NPR and the particular show that they play during our wait usually features a strange musical group from somewhere in the world. They play some bizarre stuff, and we mock it to no end. Joanne's sense of humor is very dry, very dead-pan, but she is quick and spot on. I love laughing with her. 

Most of all I love it when I see her smile. It fills me with joy. She has a lot not to smile about and she could very easily have become very bitter. She has dark moments, but she survives them and gets through to another day. 

Can you tell I love me girls? They are the light of my life and I could be happy until the day I die to love them, serve them, encourage them, instruct them and have fun with them. 

I guess that's about it.

Prayer request:

Please praise God with me for the blessing that Joanne, Emma and Audrey are to my life. I love the cheesy line for the movie Jerry McGuire--they complete me and I would be lost without them.

Toben

Comments

[Lynn]

Toben, thank you so much for sharing this today. You know, we all have things about which we can be down (and sometimes we just allow a day or two of it) and we all finally reach a point where we say, "Doggone it, I'm not going to to that today!" You reminded me that I am equally in need of that kind of self talk and affirmation often also.

Praise God for blessing us with things so evident!

Have a great day with your girls!
Lynn

[Susan]

I love this post. I love reading about the little things that make each of your "girls" unique and wonderful. Love reading about your laughter with Joanne. Where would any of us be if we lost our sense of humor?

Thank you for posting here and letting us have a small window into your world; it gives us a clearer picture of how to pray and lift up your family.

God bless from a reader in Zurich

[BethPAtl]

They are blessed to have you, too! I'm guessing that many men in your situation would have either bailed or watched from the sidelines. Well done, Toben!

[Bobbie Lutz]

It's always good to hear from you, Toben! This post today made my day...when a Daddy loves his girls like you do and shows them how much you love their Mom...that's the greatest gift you can give them. What a blessing you are to them! Thanks for sharing and give Joanne a big hug for me.

[Lisa]

Just need a "Like" button :)

[Julie]

Love:-)

[Lisa Rowe-Peplinski]

Toben - Thank you for sharing with all of us and reminding us to find the positive in every situation, even when things are tough and hard. You, Jo, and the girls are truly role models to many.

Lisa

[Kristy]

Such a sweet post :)

[Lori]

You are lucky indeed!

(BTW, the copyright on your side bar only goes through 2011)

[Gwen]

Sweet,sweet family! You are blessed and so are your girls to have you in their lives.

[julie]

I love reading about how much you love your girls! You are all blessed!

[Karene]

I agree with all the above comments! This is a beautiful tribute to your girls--I hope they get to read this. You remind me to really take notice of the specific things I love about each member of my family.