Freckles Trump Everything

Just in the past year, my eldest daughter has sprouted freckles.

I cannot tell you how thrilled I am about this.

You see, she gets her freckles from me.

Honestly?  Before this miraculous development occurred,  I have to admit, I would sometimes wonder... Could this really be my daughter? 

It wasn't the fact that she didn't look anything like me.

And to be truthful, before the freckle phenomenon, some days I did consider dying my hair black, just to feel some outward genetic connection to my eldest. 

My disbelief?

It was due to the fact that she is so much more than I had ever expected a daughter could be.

I wonder how it is possible that I could be her mother?
What did I do to deserve such a gift?
Because of her, teachers look at me in the hallways with respect.
As I fumble for my keys to get into my vehicle, fellow parents stare and wonder what parenting secrets I have used.

I am as flabbergasted as any.

My child has made me look like a parenting guru.

OK, so maybe she is quite a bit like her father.

But, hey I was the one who chose that genetic pool, wasn't I?

I deserve some of the credit.

I like to think the home she had for nine months, was a pretty good place.  

Even though she wanted out three weeks early.

I should have known she would always be ahead of the game.

What makes me the most proud though? Are the brains behind her beauty; a nod to her father. 

And the creativity with which she is able to express herself, a nod perhaps... to her mother?

She was fourteen when these pictures were taken two weeks ago,

when she said goodbye to her childhood school of ten years.

It seems like an eternity ago, as while I am writing these words,

she is across the country experiencing a different culture and language.

I know she is stepping up to the challenge with eagerness and enthusiasm.

It is all we have ever asked of her.

She has never given anything less.

She is a better version of both her parents.

But truth be told, if I had to weigh in on the whole issue, of the importance of genetic traits.

I would have to say that I think freckles pretty much trump everything.

    XO

At Mama Kat's Writer's Workshop today, she asked us to share with you a picture we would want to put up on our walls to make our house more of a home.  I'm ashamed to say the last time I framed a picture of my daughter above was when she was about five.  I will be putting one of these photo's on our wall.  But I need some help choosing... which picture should I frame for our hallway?  Which is your favourite?