Today was largely unremarkable. In the scheme of wars, starvation, genocide, and the like, I fully realize what a fortunate woman that makes me. Oh, and I have contracted the cold that’s been working its way through Kate and Amy. I’m a little cranky but nothing that a couple good nights’ sleep won’t cure.
Both hubby and I are still learning our phones. I never could have imagined how much there is to learn, actually. As I’ve been out of the professional workforce for awhile now, my technical skills haven’t just become rusty, they’re corroded and practically disintegrating. On the one hand, I’ve been grateful for the break from the rat race that comprises learning a new program, a new operating system, a new business methodology, etc., monthly, sometimes even weekly. I learned the hard way that while I possess the brains, I do not possess the emotional or physical stamina. On the other hand, chic lit, baking, and parenting don’t do much to hone one’s higher intelligence. Maybe I should have been born in the 50s, huh?
I had cause today to be reminded of my Kate’s health challenges (Kate is five and in Kindergarten). I have been so wrapped up in potty training Amy, and worrying about Claire with school, that I haven’t given much attention to Kate here in this, my communications conduit to the world.
Kate is, well, amazing. Everyone who meets her comments in some surprise on her sunny personality. She just kind of radiates some exotic blend of joy and Kate-ness.
She is more at ease with herself than many adults I know. I realize that sounds strange, but from a very early age, you could see that she carries this presence that’s something like self-preservation and gutsiness wrapped in humility and a kind of peace. All of those things are rarely present in one person, let alone in one so young. She is tough as nails, and I’m not referring to a penny nail here, but something more like a railroad spike.
Thankfully, her Noonan’s Syndrome is a very mild case, and the early years of exhaustive testing and our complete agony and anguish turned out to be largely disproportionate to her illness.
Her heart problems – polyvalvular disease – are nothing small by any measure, but her chances of living a strong, vital life are very good. She will probably have several heart surgeries in the next decade or two, but valve replacement isn’t the crapshoot it used to be. Not to mention the many amazing scientific advances that will likely be viable in the next five to ten years.
Kate is tiny – a Noonan’s Syndrome characteristic. But she is mighty in her love for her parents, her sisters, and even our cat. [Though the cat probably doesn’t see it that way….] She creates elaborate imaginary worlds, acting out scenarios as all kids do that both amaze and shock me. (I have to remind myself of the developmental importance of play occasionally.) She and Amy, only 27 months apart, are like twins: they’re either completely in synch, acting as the other’s equal and complement, or they’re like two feral cats trapped in a barrel, attempting to stake out their territory. Kate and Claire have some of the love/hate thing going (I suppose all siblings do, right?), but they are symbiotic in their big sister/little sister ways, too. I don’t doubt that Claire has taught Kate nearly as much as I have academically. You can’t beat the combination of an inspired teacher and willing student, right?
Oh my goodness. I just glanced up at all those words. Yow-za. Apparently being slightly sick while being challenged to learn something very new brings out my reflective and appreciative sides. I guess a quiet day here and there really isn’t such a bad thing after all, huh?
{ 3 comments }
