the woman is the little girl is the woman

Over the past few weeks there's been a number of situations that have renewed my passion for writing. But, before the writing comes some research including reading some old and new books and reminding myself of where I've come from. I've been intrigued by my great uncle's stories of our family and spent time reading my journals from my teenage years and my twenties as well. Then tonight as I came across a three ring binder of papers from my elementary school years that my mom had saved for me. This white binder is stuffed with lined papers of stories, poems, questions and answers, colorful paper, report cards and drawings. It's amazing. I spent about an hour pouring over it's contents and here's what I found... the little girl I was 30 years ago is quite similar to the woman I am today.... it is very obvious that I even back then I liked enouragement, I loved to be around people, I disliked fruit, I liked to be active (bike rides, kickball, walks!), and I liked Jesus.

From Kindergarten

I'm not sure how much time it took me to move from "keep trying" to "much better" but I appreciate the encouragment my teacher gave to me.

From First Grade

I am glad I am me! Yep - that's my blond curly hair and multi-colored striped shirt.

From Second Grade

Here's some questions & answers from a school worksheet:

age: 7 years old

color of hair: blond (this is the same - although I do get highlights now!)

color of eyes: blue-green

things I like: my teacher, ice cream, mom & dad (still like all of the above!)

things I dislike: chilli and mean people (I still dislike mean people but I now love chili)

From 3rd Grade Sunday School Class:

One time this week it was easy to be sure Jesus was with me... I won a race on Field Day!

One time this week it was hard to believe Jesus was with me... I lost a race on Field Day!

Wow... is that black and white or what?

More from 3rd Grade

my favorite ice cream: sure bret (I'm pretty sure I meant Sherbet - but my dad always called it "sure bert")

on a rainy day I like to: write a story. write a letter. play. say "rain rain go away!"

winter spring summer fall... I like SUMMER best of all. (some things never change!)

My favorite TV program is: chips because it is good

My favorite food is: chicken because it is very good

My favorite sport is: kickball because it is fun

My favorite song is: countdown because I like Jesus

My favorite vacation place is: california because it is warm

From a worksheet on Anger:

My mother makes me angry when she: leaves me alone

My father makes me angry when he: leaves me alone

My friends make me angry when: they don't like me

A student makes me angry when: they don't pay attention to me

I make myself angry when: I am bad

People can tell when I'm angry because: I put up my hand

Things that hurt me or make me sad:

I have to wash dishes

I fell

I didn't get to go to my cousins house

I didn't get to go to my friend's house to play

I did something wrong

We do not get to go to my Grandmas

Things that make me so happy:

I get to play

Paul says want to ride bike

I get my own way

I get to choose

My friend gets to come to my house

My mom and dad say we get to go to my grandma and grandpas

Yes... almost 30 years later I still don't like to do dishes, I still fall, I still like to go to my cousin's, friends or grandmother's home, and it still makes me so happy when Paul says "want to ride bike"!

From 4th Grade

The infamous poems... my fourth grade teacher taught us about poetry and had us write our own. (I didn't correct the spelling to keep it authentic).

I am the one who

slammed my own fingers in a door

does not like

bannas, rasberrys,

strawberrys, applesause,

blueberrys, orange juice,

oranges, cherrys,

cantelope, nuts and pizza

likea taking short walks

loves stuffed anmils

likes to write storys

likes to sing

lonly

I am the first leaf to the ground. I am

the olny fish in a lake.

I am a kitten with no

mother.

I am a girl in a boat

with no saliors.

Amazing, isn't it? How inflencial those first few years of life are... how little I've changed. I'm still a bit lonely like the girl in a boat with no sailors... but mostly I'm thankful for my incredible foundation. I like that I like to be around people, I like that I keep trying fruit year after year (even if I don't like it), I like that I love being active, and I'm falling more in love with Jesus as the years add on.