Goosie

One week from today we will take our daughter to college for the first time.  It's a 6 hour trip.  Much too far to run over for an afternoon or a quick hug and chat.  It's going to be a huge adjustment period for all of us.  There will be so many new things for her to learn and be a part of now.  It's so exciting to see your firstborn reach this level of maturity and strike out on their own to fulfill their dreams.  Bittersweet!  That word just sums it all up.  All the warmth and the love; the sadness and melancholy that comes with letting go.  The fear and worry of a mother's heart and the pride and joy, too.
She's grown into a wonderful, godly young woman who seems to have a light inside that glows even in the dark.  It's all about other people for her.  Interacting with them, ministering to them, loving them, hugging (a language all it's own for her), serving and entertaining them.  A Mary in a Martha's world.  Her major is Theater Arts with a focus on musical theater.  If you met her, you'd see that she is fun loving and light hearted.  She's been singing since she first found her voice.  Disney princesses were the inspiration for song whether in the bathtub or playing or mowing the lawn.  As her voice matured, Julie Andrews' style of speking and singing have become one of her favorites.  Music just springs from her soul.  In her early teen years she discovered theater.  As shy as she's always been I thought she might back out.  But to my surprise and everyone else's, she came alive on the stage.  Not in a "look at me" sort of way but in a way that brings life to the stage and joy to those watching.  She has a knack with character voices and timing.  Although she is quiet, she can be quite funny, catching all the nuances that have made characters so memorable.  During a community theater performance of "The King and I" she got to put her Julie Andrews style to the test as Anna. The reviews were tremendous. Her voice is like a little sparrow's; surprisingly big and strong for such a little girl.  A friend once referred to her as a renaissance woman and at the time I didn't understand what they meant.  But now I can see the strength and fierce loyalty that often sets her apart from those around her.  Not above, just apart.  (I have to say that last part because I'm her mother!)  Besides that, swordplay and knights and their ladies made Arthurian tales a favorite of both my girls.  Robin Hood and Lady Marion, too.  At a second's notice our home could be transformed into another world where figures from stories and myths come alive.  Tales from Tolkien, C. S. Lewis, Anthony Hope, Baroness Orczy, Robert Louis Stevenson, Charles Dickens, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Howard Pyle and Mark Twain were reenacted in costume with precision, much in the style of Louisa May Alcott's attic scene in Little Women.  Quite naturally bursts of song, dance, swordplay and parody counteracted by a sister's answering character played out in front of our eyes with honesty and truth portraying their favorite folks from all walks of life and periods of history.  I'll miss that and I'm afraid that as much as I enjoy those stories, I'm going to have a hard time filling her shoes as far as her little sister is concerned.  Ahem...my singing voice lacks a little of the range and clarity she's used to and my agility with a bow and arrow or cudgel is a little rusty.  But, who knows, maybe we'll uncover new qualities in both of us.

As much of a little lady as my college bound daughter can be, she's just as comfortable with a bow and arrow or rifle, in her evening gown or her camo, in the woods or on the stage. 

Jane Austen and Elizabeth Gaskell have also been favorites over the years.  The sweet figure of Molly Gibson, affectionately nicknamed "Goosie" by her father, combined with the mild, yet strong willed character of Margaret Hale in Gaskell's novels and the smart, free spirited Elizabeth Bennett and the sensible, calm but full hearted Elinor Dashwood in Austen's works give a few good examples of the type of capable, talented, loving woman she's become.  She has a lot to offer and in my opinion, anyone would be a fool not to see it and appreciate it because she's so unpretentious and meek, yet so full of life and love. Her heart is so big and yet so fierce.  Conflict makes her draw back but don't you dare force her to come out because she'll take a stand if she has to.  All this wrapped up in a neat, lovely little package with eyes that sparkle with love and turn black with anger.  Even though her expression remains the same, all her emotions shine out through those eyes with a light that looks deep into your heart discerning feelings even you may not realize. And I don't mean to say that in a mystical way, only that she has a keen insight into most peoples' personalities.  She understands them and can talk most people through feelings they are having by showing them a side of the story they may not have seen before.  She has people skills that allow her to discern feelings, diffuse arguements and calm the spirits of conflict around her.  Seeing and thinking the best of everyone she meets comes naturally.  She's eager to give her all to being friends but if you hurt her, you'll have to prove to her that she can trust you before she'll give her all again.  Unfortunately,  that doesn't work with everyone.
I know that she can accomplish whatever she sets her mind to and the limitations of theater go far beyond merely becoming an actress.  She can use whatever interests her to share and minister to others so easily, especially bonding with children.  But where ever the Lord takes her, I know she'll be a blessing to a lot of people because all that she is comes from Him.  I'm so proud of our "Goosie" and will miss her sweet spirit and lilting song terribly.
Goosie, give your all to His honor and glory for all the blessings He's already bestowed on you.  I'm so proud of you and look forward to seeing the doors that open in your future.

So to my sweet little songbird, all the love I have to give and prayers for all the best God has in store for you!