Friday, January 30, 2009

Happy Birthday A.C.!

In honor of Alexis Catherine, who is 18 today.

I think the last time I saw Lexi she was resting face down on a living room couch with one of the family pugs curled up asleep on her butt. I’ve seen that pose before. It’s somewhat incongruous with the image of the striking young woman she’s grown into seemingly in a blink. Not long ago I was giving her stuffed animals and wild bucking bronco rides. Now she’s taller than me (thanks partially to the half inch I lost compressing my knees and spine as her horsy), much prettier than me (that’s some low hanging fruit), and guessing her allowance, she’s probably out-earning me. She may even be smarter than me—although, up to now, all her attempts to get over on me have been stymied. But she is formidable. She’s got the Hosfield gift of argument. What I can’t account for is where she got such grace and poise so far beyond her years. That may be a quality of her own invention. I’ve seen her work a room of adults like a seasoned ambassador. I suspect one day she will conquer whatever part of the world she sets her sights upon. Charmingly, of course. She’s also likely to leave a trail of broken hearts, as she has always been spirited and independent. In fact, the smart money was on blue hair, black fingernails, tattoos and all-out rebellion by age thirteen. I’m glad I never made that bet, because she’s beset by no such demons. Instead, she’s the very picture of health and happiness. And as she hits this milestone of 18 years—the quasi-standard of adulthood (unless you want a drink), I’m all at once excited, and proud, and grateful, along with a little bit sad to see her growing so fast beyond my watch, heading toward adventures extraordinary. She is more than ready for this. I’m merely pretending that I am. Happy Birthday, A.C. ! (Yes, I’m calling her A.C. now. Seems like a good moniker for someone weaned on Sports Center and destined for the Warsaw School of Sports Marketing.) Even though she has yet to pay off on our Peep bet, she’s forever my favorite niece.