Just the Way She Is…

Yesterday, on the way to somewhere, we made small talk in the car, with the radio softly playing in the background.  Out of the blue, I asked her curiously, “Ellee, do you like to sing?”   To which she promptly replied, “Nope.”  Because I couldn’t quite grasp why anyone wouldn’t like to sing since it was something that I’ve loved since I was a little girl, I asked her again, you know, to make sure.  To which she replied, “Mom, I don’t like to sing and I don’t like to dance.”

And it made me stop and think.  Part of me just couldn’t understand how a child of mine didn’t like something that I loved.  As a little girl, I remember standing up in front of church with my sisters and singing Jesus songs for everyone to hear.  My Mom had tapes (haha) of Christian Kids Songs that she would play whenever we were in the car and I remember singing my heart out to them.  In high school, I sang with a group of friends on various occasions for special music and was also in our church choir and two different school choirs.   Singing has always been something that I’ve enjoyed and had passion for.

So how then, could my sweet Ellee not like singing?  We talked more and she explained that she just didn’t like to sing.  She said it was embarrassing.  And I stumbled over words trying to convince her that singing was awesome until I finally realized that it really is totally okay if my daughter doesn’t like to sing.

Ellee has her own, unique and beautiful personality.  She loves her friends and she loves school (for which I am always so thankful).  She is a wonderful helper and always loves to help me out with various projects that I dream up.  She loves to cook along side of me too.  She loves riding her bike and will pedal her little legs all over Eastport when given the chance.  She can sew and she also loves putting together her own fun and unique outfits.

And even though I’d love for her to love something that I love, at the end of the day, I’m so thankful for Ellee, just the way she is.  As parents, sometimes we need to remember how important that is.  Whether it’s school or sports or singing, there are going to be passions that we share with our kids, and there are going to be things that we differ on.  Most importantly though, is encouraging our kids to pursue the great talents and gifts that God has given them.  I’m so thankful for our sweet girl and that she is and that she loves to do the things that she loves to do.