The lion in the lamb.
|18.Nov.2008As I was sitting on the floor of Emelie’s room the other day I glanced over at her open closet and grinned one of those ear-to-ear, ‘knowing’ grins.
It was like looking back in time. Clothes arranged neatly, shoes stacked ‘just so’, everything organized, color-coded and labeled. I was exactly like that at her age; but without the siblings to come along and muss it up.
Since she could select her own clothes, Em’s signature colors have always fallen into the ‘cooler’, melancholy shades of blue, green, and white, with the occasional purple and black tossed into the mix. She’s comfortable blending in – chooses not to stand out – purposes not to draw attention to herself.
Her taste in clothing and sense of style is so much a part of who she is now; this newly emergent pre-teen, fresh into the world of 12 and figuring out the who, what, when, where and how of self.
The pre-teen years are so very rough.
But in the midst of that sea of struggle, confusion, melancholy, and endless change, there is a blazing fire of red will; the lion strength in her rears its head and shakes its mane.
Each day there emerges more evidence of a strong leader – one who can cast off her spirit of timidity and be the girl, lady, and eventually, woman, God created her to be.
And she’ll do it in her own God-given way – squiggly laces and all.
21 Comments
Claire in CA, USA
Oh how I wish my daughter HADN’T taken after me. Her closest is not publishable, and neither is my house.
cheri
I am increasingly amazed that you consider your house small and cramped. My land, lady! Your closets! Your pantry!! ahhhh
OMSH
cheri – Our house was built smart in some ways. It is 1230 sq. ft., but the rooms are small – like 10×10. So, we’ve room for a bed, but not dressers – the closets have to pull double duty. The kitchen doesn’t have many cabinets, so the pantry has to pull double duty. It feels ‘open’ and we don’t feel ‘cramped’, but we are limited for space and storage for a family of 5.
Sara
Heather,
I have always been fond of your Emilie. Despite the inevitable angst of a 12 year old,(soon to get much worse, I fear), she seems to be quite content to march to a different drummer. In many ways, I see my 12 year old self in her, but without the poise and confidence she seems to display. I also had a pair of red shoes; they seem to be a mark of defiance somehow – not of parents – but of conformity, but I could never get myself to wear them.
She’ll get through it, but you’re right – it’s awful.
I have faith in your eldest daughter.
Kate
I had such a closet too, I confess. Now? Not so much.
mommyknows
Oh, if only my children were that neat. If only I were that neat. I love the red shoes, I had a pair of red hightop converse at about the same age.
Mr. OMSH
Christian Confucius say:
The Lord created people like OMSH and EM for people like Mr. OMSH and Kenny.
mamalang
LMAO at Mr. OMSH. In our house, the lord created people like me for everyone else, but most especially daddy and the Monster.
These are the rough years…but Em has a great role model in her mama.
Sandra in Phx
This post reminded me of my newly 12 year old daughter. She spent Saturday shopping with her Grammie and came home with a pair of hot pink GLITTERY shoes similar in style as your Em’s shoes. I gasped at them because well, I wouldn’t wear them. Then I realized that *I* don’t have to wear them! LOL She adores them, bought them with her own money and honestly, they look so cute on her.
Naomig
What a great post. And, what a great closet… my house is not publishable, but I do anyway… check out my dirty laundry post from last week… argh!
Atomic Bombshell
I love this post. So sweet!
Rhea
I’m impressed. That closet is awesomely organized. I wish my boys were that into keeping their closets neat. Very nice!
Michelle
I always hoped the best for my daughter, this post made me sad today as she has chosen to leave our house once again. Emelie seems like a remarkable young lady. You are blessed.
Gayle
What a great post!
Nancy
That’s awesome. That was me at 12, too, although I don’t know if I would have had the guts for red sneakers then. I don’t think my mom would have gone for it. I do remember envying a classmate’s iridescent Doc Martens in high school, though.
Today? Heck, I’d go with orange shoes if I found ‘em. :) She’ll get through it.
Mrs. Wilson
I really don’t miss being 12. The pre-teen years ARE hard. I’m glad Emelie has such a fantastic mom to pull her through.
kimmie
Wish MY closet looked like that!
Christina
What a beautiful moment, capturing something so meaningful in what seems mundane.
inadvertentfarmer
What a terrible and tender age but…havin’ a full and well organized closet will help a girl make it through anything this big world has to throw at her!
She is blessed to have an understanding mama. I just hope when my sweet girl (5) gets that age I am as insightful. Kim
Jaime
What a fabulous closet! What does she keep in the plastic bins and the green bins?
OMSH
Jaime – The plastic bins are her American Girls’ clothes. The green bins are basically her dresser drawers; under clothes, pajamas, shorts, t-shirts…