My Rose

My Rose

Technically, Mandi is my middle child because she is one minute older than her twin sister. Her full name is Amanda Elizabeth. Yes, we did name her for the Barry Manilow song - it's a beautiful song and I'm not embarrassed to admit that's where we got her name. I don't think Mandi was ever impressed by that story and in an effort to distance herself from the whole Barry Manilow thing, she changed the spelling of her name from Mandy with a "y" to Mandi with an "i." She has been my "Rose" since she was a little girl as she used to love all things pink and roses.

Today my middle child is off on a new adventure. At this moment she is on a plane on her way to New York City. She is going to be living with her sister jb indefinitely or at least until she decides where to go to graduate school next year. I am absolutely in awe of her bravery to move away from almost everything she knows to experience a different kind of life. I'm trying very hard not to be a mother hen and worry about her, but it's not in my nature NOT to worry.

Instead of worrying, I need to remind to myself that this is the intelligent, resourceful young woman who is a college grad, who worked and lived on her own in Santa Barbara, who traveled to Honduras, and who has completed a half marathon and other races. She also has persevered in spite of being the younger sister of a bona fide  force of nature and the twin of  a free spirited and sometime explosive creative soul. She is every bit a force of nature, free spirited and creative as her sisters, but just more quiet about it.

A lesser person might have gotten lost in the shuffle between these two powerful siblings, an overprotective mother and a dad who knows everything.  Not my Rose. She is flourishing and thriving. In a quiet moment of doubt, she asked me if I thought she was crazy for moving to New York. No, I said. Not crazy at all...BRAVE! I wish I was as fearless as any one of my daughters. I'm glad that she is confident enough to start this new chapter in her life. The little girl who used to hide behind my legs and who used to be afraid of moving up to the next grade in school is flying to New York...

I am so PROUD...a little bit worried...and very grateful that she will be with her big sister. Mostly, I am proud. I love you, Mandi.

Don't forget to call your mother.