Cameryn has always been a bit nerdy. Identified as gifted prior to kindergarten, she started Advanced classes in first grade. In second grade she moved to the newly opened Old Donation Center. Second grade was very successful. My cute little blonde would bounce out of bed in the mornings eager to get the day started and didn't miss a single day that year. By third grade my sweet child had turned into Dracula's little buddy Renfield whenever the sun was out. At first and of course, the school said ADHD. A private child psychologist didn't agree. She thought it was stress, but had no success in modifying Cameryn's behavior. So we tried home schooling letting her work at her pace using the computer and internet. That worked well for about 5 years until she started running away from home. A kindly policeman who picked her up in downtown Norfolk said that she wanted to go back to school. High School. Of course I had nightmares of indivualized learning plans, meeting with counselors every other week, and having to come get her out of school for disrupting classes. I was nervous. She was great. Took to the 9th grade like a duck to water. No calls. few meetings, no disruptions, and she started building a network of friends. Shari and I were thrilled.
Then she got recruited for the High School's Robotics Team. Somehow she became the archive keeper, team photographer, head cheerleader and mother hen. Norview High's entry in competition was ACE, That first year Ace finished a distant 34th in statewide competition. The next year after a steep learning curve by the team ACE finished second statewide. Missing the nationals by just a few points. Very disappointing. This year Cameryn has gotten involved in the technical side of things, designing and building for the upcoming competition season. Their goal is Atlanta for the nationals. I can't wait. Did I tell you I'm proud of her.
That's My Girl!!
Can she figure out how to program my DVD and my VCR into my cable remote?
ReplyDeleteYou've got word verification, too? The spammers ignore me.
ReplyDeleteI'm unwanted (sniff)
You're too nice Kirk, maybe you need to piss off a few people. There is this website called.....nah, you're a nice guy.
ReplyDeleteTag, I wanted to tell you this post touched me profoundly, for I have a daughter who is a wonder, as well. I intend to say much more, but I'm a little bowled over with daughter-awe and I need to gather my words carefully.
ReplyDeleteHa! My word verification is "anisen". Do you suppose they meant "Anacin" or "Aniston"?
Anisen Skywalker-younger sister of the the infamous Darth Vader. Young Anisen given up for adoption grew to be one skilled in the art of healing thus bringing balance to the Force.
ReplyDeleteDaughter's are a wonder. Holding this scrawny 7 lb spidery thing in my arms 18 1/2 years ago now a charming young women finding her way confidently around DC over a weekend. I am truly grateful.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I can START the words that are emotionally choking me right now (about daughters). We tried to have a child for 20 years. I was infertile. We and Blue Cross threw $1000s at fertility treatments that did not have the desired effect. I moved on in life, sad that I'd never have my girl. We went to England for 6 weeks, our first trip there. I came home kind of sick. Surprise. In the most natural way. I had a harrowing pregnancy, an acutely risky C-section delivery, and from this small woman came a robust 10 pound girl who is the most beautiful creature ever sent from the angels. She is nearly 20. She is brilliant. She is still angry at her mother for breaking up our "happy" home. But I have faith that she will finally land on "maybe mom did the best she could with what she had to work with". I believe in her reasonable nature and I trust in maturity.
ReplyDeleteOK, maybe I shouldn't ask this, but is "you're too nice" a response to my first comment or a second? I'm guessing the second, but I'm not sure.
ReplyDeleteAs far as not pissing people off, I try not to because, you're right, I'm a nice guy, but people are ALWAYS taking what I say the wrong way on the Internet! Why, just yesterday I had to perform damage control!
Miracles happen in their own time. Anger is part of being almost 20 isn't it? She will find her way through. I hope soon. You deserve each other (in a good way of course).
ReplyDeleteYes, my comment was intended for your reply about spammers. I'm afraid Cameryn won't be reprogramming remote controls. Doesn't interest her even though their is a practical value to the skill.
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I accidentally deleted your reply to my Obama post. I agree with you sentiments. I surely don't like any continuing or increasing involvement in that region. But for me it was nice to see the sense of responsibility displayed towards his troops in that video. That is unlike any president in my memory.