A child of grace

Forget about Thanksgiving. There is a person in this world that gives me hope and gratitude simply by being herself. And she is only 13 years old.

Let's start at the source. My daughter, known by many of you, is a bit different. She looks different because she has wild, crazy curly hair and she not only loves it, she flaunts it. She is extremely artistic and polite, and adults have always just loved her. Girls are not quite the same. My daughter is not socially skilled, she will never be the queen bee because she is not skilled at reading others and making a strategy to deal with others. She truly believes that we all should support each other and be nice and happy. She is the ulitimate flower girl, that's how my mind gives her an image. A girl in a field of daisies, reaching her arms out to the world. It makes me love her even more.

But we all know that this is not "normal" to most girls. And for several years, I have noticed girls who don't "get" Chloe. That's what Makaela says, her friend and fellow Girl Scout. I believe she is right, but also very kind to the girls who don't get her. But, since we have moved here, there has been one girl who has unfailingly been kind and thoughtful to my daughter despite the fact that she is very much the socialite. I know, I was one too.

Nicole is the daughter of my good friend Chris. Several years ago, about a year after I moved here, I told Chris about my worries that not a lot of girls I invited to Chloe's tea birthday party would come. Chris told me to invite Nicole, who is 2 years older, and so I did. I figured Nicole would come because Chris would make her, but she actually was happy to come and was so wonderful to all of the girls. Nicole came to Chloe's slumber party the following year. This year, Chloe handed an invitation to Nicole and she was so kind to explain why she couldn't come. Chloe thinks Nicole is the kindest person in the world.

To be honest, I was always a bit worried (not me!) thinking Chris made Nicole do these things. I have no idea why, because Nicole was always happy and nice and seemed to enjoy helping out. She's extremely capable. But she's more than that. She is kind. That is not average for a girl who is attractive and smart and outgoing.

A week or so ago, I told Chris how Chloe went to her first gymnastics practice and came home crying hysterically, and after we hung up, about 3 minutes later Nicole called me and asked if Chloe would be interested in working with her to learn a routine or two. I said yes, and completely forgot about it. Chris called the day we were available and picked up Chloe and Nicole, whatever she did, worked wonders with Chloe. Chloe is now so happy and enjoys gymnastics and is not upset that she is not perfect at it.

I think it helps when an older girl (an 8th grader!!!!) tells you that you are okay and nice. I think Nicole is really exceptional, even in our Girl Scout world. She is constantly, despite being the most normal kid I know, showing how exceptional she is. She gives me hope for the future, for kids who grow up without our experiences and responsibilities. She is amazing, beautiful, cool, smart-ass, and friendly. She is at least 15 years ahead of me when I was her age in the finest ways. I look forward to seeing her in 10 years, 20 years, to know what difference she is making in life. A girl like Nicole, being a stay at home mom or an executive or an international peacemaker, will make a huge difference in the lives of the people she touches. I know, she has touched my heart so many times. I am so thankful that her mom and dad met and fell in love, and are raising such an amazing kid.

Funny thing is, she would be embarassed if she knew how I felt. She thinks of herself as average, I am willing to bet. But she doesn't really know the effect she has on my life, and my daughter's life. And that is the exceptional part of Nicole that gives me such pleasure. She is so amazing, and she really will make a difference in this world. She already has.