D’Aurolyn – she’s perfect.
Life. In some ways life is easy for D’Aurolyn. We love and care for her. We challenge her. We vary her experiences to optimize her knowledge of the world. We pray for her. We entrust her care to others with whom we know are worthy of such trust. She has few responsibilities. Her life appears carefree.
In other ways, life is difficult for D’Aurolyn. She has few friends outside of her family. It’s not that she doesn’t want friends; she wants friends. She longs for friends. But she’s not like other girls her age. The way she perceives the world and the way in which she interacts with others isn’t “typical”. She doesn’t fit in. Oh, there are plenty of nice girls out there who show kindness toward D’Aurolyn and for that I’m profoundly thankful, but she isn’t capable of having a teenager-ish relationship . The lack of all-things-typically-teenager is sometimes a cause for thankfulness and relief in my life. However, we parents have this innate desire for our kids to be like the rest; albeit a more excellent version of the rest. And this excellence includes peer relationships.
In all of my years that I’ve had to process what society would see as lack in D’Aurolyn, I’ve come to see greater blessedness, giftedness, beauty and abundant reasons for which to be thankful in her. I’m now exceedingly relieved that D’Aurolyn will never be exposed to peer pressures that are associated with freedoms most teenagers experience. She is my darling daughter and is always protected. She is innocent and pure – even in her puzzling bouts of anger, she’s so childlike that I silently exalt thanks and praise. She is tender and soft-hearted toward helplessness in pets, babies, the elderly, and the physically and emotionally challenged. She is delighted with peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. She derives more pleasure from walks outside than anyone I know. A bath and early-to-bed are two of her vices and those are heartily-welcomed at almost all times. She is a lovely picture of God’s word in James 1:3-4: Know this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
In D’Aurolyn, I can find no want. I can only give thanks and praise.
A beautiful expression of love – both of you!
Thank you, Merrie. We love you! xo
I see her at church and always wondering what she is thinking…. she always seems so determined and to be moving. When I am a greeter I tell her HI – Good morning! and she will always stop with a start ( like I interrupted her) and gives a small smile and then keeps moving. She has grown to be a beautiful girl/ person/ and God’s little girl.
What a wonderful way to see your child, thanks for sharing.
She is always on the move! Thank you for reaching out to her and for appreciating her, LuAnn.
Just lovely! She is a lovely girl!
Thank you, Amy!