an ode to Claire

Tonight Roger and I sat in the orchestra class room and watched our oldest child play beautiful, complex songs that neither of us would have a clue how to play.  She played her solo with poise, grace and skill.  She did her 2 small group pieces next, one with 3 others and the other song with 7 other musicians.  Who is this child?  Is this the one that was clingy and fearful and stuck to me like glue for the first 2 years of her life?  Is this the one who quit dance in March, at age 4....so that she didn't have to go on the stage and dance in front of people?  This child tonight was impressive.  Confident.  Lovely.  Before the violin demonstration, she played her heart out in co-ed soccer for an hour in heavy, buggy heat.  Just now, at the end of this very long day of work, coughing toddler, multiple hours of soccer and then the school thing, she took charge of the boys at bedtime.  Lord, bless this child.   She is reading to Jeremiah at night in bed, to help in go to sleep.  I didn't ask her to, she just decided it would help him reach his reading goals, and bless him. 

Now don't get me wrong.  Claire is not a saint.  She is sassy, moody and a tweener.  She avoids her chores all the time, keeps her room a horrible mess and doesn't say "thank you" very often.  Or "please".  She's not perfect....but for me, tonight.....she's pretty close.