Change is the only permanant thing....
Where do I begin? I remember when I was still carrying you around inside me and wondering who you would be. I distinctly remember writing the words.."I do not know by what sweet euphamism I will come to know you, but I do know that you are so very very loved, and that Daddy and I can't wait to meet you." You were the great hope of our lives, the great joy of our souls, the much sought-after end of the rainbow. And here, we had not even seen your face yet. But we knew. As Daddy talked to my belly every night before bed and you moved. He'd sing and you'd settle. When you arrived on that Wednesday morning, you didn't cry. You simply looked around the room as if you wanted to take everything about your new world in. Just as you do today. Your gift for observing the obvious, the not-so-obvious, the sublimely ludicrous, the sweet, and the sorrow, gives you an entire menu of ingredients to mix up a batch of Life Humour, according to Averie.
I never imagined that this day would come so soon. I think I was just deciding on what kind of stroller I wanted yesterday. And now, this. This day that you've worked so hard for and earned so well. I wish more than anything that Grandma could be here. But in my heart, I know that she is and she's as proud of you as we are. As I said to you in your yearbook, the words borrowed from RWE, it is what lies within you. Averie Joy, what lies within you is a person that I LIKE so much. Someone as sweet as the day is long. This day of course, will go by in a flash. But you will always be sweet. If I never have anything of material worth in my life, I will still know that I am an amazingly rich woman, because I have had the distinct honor and privilege to be your mother. And hopefully, your friend. I love you so much. No matter where you go or what you do, please know in your heart of hearts that I will always be your biggest fan.
You have been blessed as well. Blessed to have the circle of friends that you have. It is one of a parent's most constant worries; the company that their child keeps. We know that we are so lucky to breathe an easy sigh of relief. We NEVER worry about who you are with or what you are doing. We know that you watch out for each other, care for each other, love each other. You are part of a rare society in today's world. You are loved not only by the family that you live with, but by the family that adopts you...your friends.
Celinda, thank you for being the "one with the car". You have saved me countless miles of frustration. Thank you for the wisdom beyond your years and for being available to help when help was needed. There can only be great things in your future. I'm sure I'll be reading about you in the newspaper someday. Passing the bar, or throwing your hat into the political arena. When you were in Mrs. Metoyer's 5th grade, and I was one of the book counters for the reading program at Paularino, I never believed that this "Celinda Sandoval" child could possibly be reading as much as she was saying she was reading. And to be reading "War and Peace" in 5th grade while everyone else was reading "Goosebumps?" Come on. So I mentioned it to Averie one day when she came home from school. I asked her if she knew a girl named Celinda. And she began to gush about it. "Oh my gosh Mommy, Celinda is THE smartest girl in school! She reads so many books and BIG FAT books too! And she's SO nice and I like her so much...etc etc etc." Ok, I got the picture. All these years later, I'm grateful that life brought you and Averie together in this place. We will miss you, but we know that Stanford isn't so far away.
MaryFairy, what do I say about you? I think it was freshman or sophomore year when Averie first brought you home for some English project. I listened from my bedroom while you guys worked at the kitchen table. Averie had said, "Mary is coming over for this project. She's a little different, but she's SO cool." That was the beginning of learning about the life of a flower child. That was the beginning of you becoming not only a part of our family, but a fixture in the house as well. I just naturally included you in everything and just took for granted that whatever we do, if Mary was here, Mary would naturally do too. It just made sense in a really crazy world. Your laugh is infectious and I love how it fills the house. I love your stories of life. You are the enlightened child in places that were once dark. Your ecumenical life gives you a worldly perspective and wisdom not known to many at your young age. You make me roll me eyes sometimes, but you also made me think, and laugh, and learn things that I didn't know. Thank you for being that other child of mine. I will miss walking in the door and seeing you on one couch and Averie on the other. I will miss the videos and hearing your laughter through the heating vent in my room. I will miss knowing that you will be here on Saturday night for SNL. Thank you for all that you and your family have done to show Averie some amazing things that she will never forget and always cherish for the rest of her life. You are a beautiful child of the universe. The Desiderata belongs to you.
Bobby. There is not much more to say than I think that you are a kick ass human being. I adore you massively. I know you aren't graduating, ut you are so much a part of Averie's life. As a mom, I am SO happy that Averie has you in her life because I know that she has the admiration and protection of an older brother. You are pants peeing funny. I always make sure that I visit the little girls room BEFORE I read your blog. Your public "aloofness" hides a raging comedian. I think that you are an incredibly talented and funny guy. Don't you dare let that fire die. I see you writing comedy and hitting great heights with it. Run Bobby Run. Your laughter therapy is a gift you cannot keep from a world that needs to laugh. It is your great commission in life to see that responsibility through. Besides that, you are an amazing person. I have enjoyed your company and am so proud that you are a part of our lives. If you EVER need a place to call home, you know where to go. And I always have an opening in the "mom" department, should you find you need one.
Lindz, you wild and crazy thing. You are absolutely indescribeable. I remember at the river all the noise coming from yours and Averie's tents and thinking to myself.."when does that child wind down for goshsakes?" I now know the answer, all these years later, is NEVER! You are the epitome of perpetual motion. Inexhaustible. I love that about you. You walk into a room and the energy level goes skyhigh. You have been a wonderful friend. Averie has learned much about family through you and through your grandparents. They are a treasure. I see great things for you, just by the dynamic soul that you are. I know that you and Ave will always be friends. You are the Energizer Bunny. You keep going and going and going.....never stop.
Averie, you are the joy of my life. If I have never done anything worthwhile in my life, I know, from being around you and the people that you have chosen to surround yourself with, that Daddy and I have done a good job. Yay for us! Yay for you. Yay for ALL of you. You have done us proud. I love you more than you can possibly know.
