the beautiful girl

You were the most beautiful girl on campus. No one could argue this. You had a presence that was compelling.  And a face for billboards. You radiated. Boys dropped like flies.

But what I came to know is how you are beautiful all the way through. I saw it when you married your best friend and the love of your life in your backyard in a daisy chain around your head and that million dollar smile.

I saw it when you had your three children really close together and turned your dining room into a playroom because they needed one.

I saw it when you moved away from us for more space and re built friendships and community. And you always make an effort to come back to see all of us in any weather and under any circumstance.

I see it when we are discussing anything that involves values. You are dead certain in where you stand. You do not judge (much) but you are crystal clear.  You listen intently. You do not blink. In fact, in 30 years I don’t think I have ever seen you blink.

I saw it the way you went back to work. And juggled everything.

I saw it when you lost your dad and your sister.

And when your 3 babies moved out and followed their paths. And you supported all their choices.

You are up for anything. I have been on a 60k walk with you to raise money for breast cancer and a bike ride with you in the countryside to honour our dear friend’s mom.  We have been to Florida, to Cayman, to cottage weekends, ski weekends, to Costco and to the hospital. To school. Detention. To baby programs.To hell. Never to prison.

You are unfamiliar with your own anatomy. We have had to teach you some basic things. You still argue those things.

You drink Carlsburg Light. You always travel with two cold ones. If you don’t need to drive, it is a 6 pack.

You burp like a truck driver. You’re on a first name basis with the beloved “F” word. You can throw a football spiral like a pro. You wanted to hit on my younger brother for years.

You went up to my date at your 50th birthday party, grabbed his face in your hands and planted a big smooch on his lips. That is a welcome, beautiful girl style.

I said, “Isn’t she beautiful?” And he had to agree.

On special occasions you have too much Jaegermeister. It can be hard to distinguish you from the teenagers.

I love when I threaten to go to sleep and you guilt me into to staying up late. You make me feel like if I cut out I will take all the fun away. I love to make you laugh.

You make us all want to dance. Arms above the head, one hand clutching a beer. Hips swaying. Eyes wide open. Million dollar smile.

Remember that bar in Cayman? We all  started dancing and the walls were lined with beautiful, round, deep cleavaged and BOOTYful huge  black women who were looking at our scrawny white butts and our poor sense of rhythm thinking Good lord what has happened to our island who is going to save us. It was you who went over and made friends with them and got them dancing with us, teaching our white butts a thing or two about moving it.

When I am with you I want to smoke again. All night long. It might not seem like it but that is a very high compliment.

You have surprisingly tiny hands and feet just like me.

You are like our younger, wild and beautiful sister. But at closer look you are really like our mother, our protector, our sage and solid rock.

When you whispered in my ear recently that you admire me, my heart sang.

Happy (belated) birthday, beautiful girl. You are inside out beautiful. You deserve that face.

xo nance

 

3 thoughts on “the beautiful girl

  1. Wow! Love this woman ! It is amazing the kind of wonderful women we collect along the way if we learn to really distinguish the truly beautiful souls! I feel blessed, like you to have these sisters in my life. Beautiful blog Nancy. Wondering who it is and if I ever met her. Xo
    Sue

  2. I love this woman too! She is my wife – and Nancy you have captured her true soul and spirit so beautifully. Thank you so much for this wonderful gift!!
    Ian

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