Happy 18th Birthday Jami!

Today is my oldest daughter's 18th birthday (no comments about how old that makes me...I was 11 when she was born). She has moved on with her life and moved out so I really don't know exactly where she is. I miss her. She has not been communicating with us very much.



Jami is a child who has and does live by trial and error. If someone explains to her there is another easier way to do something or avoid hardship and heartbreak, she should do this...she would rather do it her way and face the music.

Please do not misunderstand me, she is extremely smart. When we lived in Virginia, she tested the top of the state for mathematics and in the upper 5% for science. She plays tennis and bowls very well and if she followed up, she could be playing in tournaments. She is extremely funny and normally carries a good sense of humor about everything.

But she is a rebel and a klutz. She has made some decisions that are harder to rebound from than she realizes. She also for some reason can fall down and fracture her wrist while riding her bike...at 16.

When Jami was around 10 years old, there was one incident that makes Warrior history. The Queen had made this wonderful homemade chicken kiev dinner. The dinner was on our new plates on our new table, with a tablepiece and a tablecloth and everything. We all sat down to the table and with the first cut of the chicken, Jami managed to turn her entire plate upside down in her lap. She was covered in chicken and rice and standing there looking terrified. The entire family broke out in laughter. It was then that Jami figured out that it really WAS funny and also laughed. This incident would live through family history as the "looking at the underside of the plate."

This brings me to my points (as I have two today). One, you have to let children live their own life paths even if you feel it may be down a rough and rocky road. It is those people who define the rough and rocky road. I have been down that road many times and I have learned some invaluable lessons I NEVER wish to learn again. With my lessons I try to teach people how to aviod them.

I would have rather not had Jami have to live those lessons as well but she IS her own person. So, if she decides that taking a ride with the aliens might be a good idea because then you can see Earth from space without all of that astronaut training stuff, more power to her. I just have to say "you know they expect something back from that ride."

Two, go wish my daughter a very happy birthday. Eighteen is magical most of the time. The first step into adulthood.

I miss you and love you Jami! Happy Birthday!

Did you know...

When Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen turned 18 in mid-2004, they took official control of a company worth more than the gross national product of Mongolia. Their earnings in 2003 topped $1 billion.

Comments

Erin said…
It's hard to grow up, and even harder to watch someone you love grow up. I hope she knows how much you love her.
11:03 PM
Nirek said…
hey john,
thats wonderful gesture as lovely dad. i wished your daughter a very happy birthday!
7:25 AM
R Girls said…
hey you r a cool and understanding dad. She is lucky. at the same time if I can say there are no mistakes in life, everystep is a lesson. She born to you will be a considerate daughter for sure once she learns from life. Happy birthday to her
9:58 AM
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