Sydney Rebecca - Comic, Diva, Super Model and Sage.....Born on 2/21 at 2:21.

I have three spectacular little grand-daughters.  They are all bright, engaging, nice, and well-mannered, but beyond that their only similarities: 1.  They are all female  2. They have the same parents.  Each of them were born with different attitudes, characteristics and means of navigating their world.  I had one child, so I am fascinated by their individuality as well as watching the evolution from toddlers to little girls.   Despite the differences, there is a firm bond that cements their love and loyalty for one another.  Don’t get me wrong, they get angry, compete, fight, and  sometimes they’re just mean to each other.  They’re sisters, as well as little women with hormones that lie in wait..... Yet, when push comes to shove, each seeks out the wisdom and comfort in the other they find lacking in themselves.  Amazingly, they intuitively know which one to go to when they need a dose of a trait that's not one of their strengths.  I have written about Alex, the oldest, our kind, spiritual, careful, curious and intellectual one.  I wrote about Guru Cameron, our youngest, with her little OCD personality when it comes to order, routine, and cleanliness. Her easy-going, go with the flow nature is an example to the grown-ups surrounding her. I hadn't written about Sydney Rebecca, my little namesake, wanting to wait until her birthday. She's my go-to girl,  If I want an adventure, a good belly laugh, or a lesson in self-confidence. 

It certainly wasn’t my intent to write about my middle grand-daughter, last.   Don’t let her birth order lull you into thinking the psychology of middle child syndrome is at play here. No one would ever deign treat Sydney Rebecca as an afterthought, or minimize her importance to the world!  She’ll set you straight with a look that’ll make you feel foolish for being so out of touch with her divineness.  When asked what she wants to be when she grows up, she will tell you a dancer, a diva, and a super-model.  Don’t waste your breath explaining super models are generally quite tall. She’ll respond with a shrug of her shoulders and confidently retort, “ I’m going to be the first short super model.”   When she was born, I gasped and my first words were, “Oh, my gosh, this baby is absolutely beautiful.”  She was.  A tinier version of the Gerber Baby, all round, rosy, perfectly shaped, eyes wide open and alert.  At first breath, her little cry commanded attention.   Every bit of energy in that room, was directed towards her.  She turned heads as a baby, a toddler, a pre-schooler. Her magnetism is as powerful today. 

Guess who Mimi? Santa!

When she was very little, she had this air of entitlement. It was HER mom, HER dad, HER sister, HER toy, and HER time.  As she has grown older, she has learned to temper those overt demands by manipulating and playing the little coquette, drama queen, or comic;  whatever role she feels will work its magic in getting her way.  She’s very good at it too.  She can read people, at first meeting with a piercing vision that leaves you feeling naked and vulnerable.  You get the sense she knows you better than you know yourself.  She’s not adverse to using your weaknesses against you to get you to see her way of thinking either.  Before you know what hit you, you’re mesmerized, and find yourself dancing to her tune, joyfully becoming a part of her growing conga line of admirers!  Her intuitive nature isn’t always self serving.  She seems to know what you need, and has an innate ability to make you feel like the most important person in the world (right behind her of course)!  If you’re sad, she senses it.  Not only does she feel it, but diagnoses the cure appropriately with whatever you need; empathy, hugs and loving, or silliness and laughter.  She is the Queen Bee of funny faces and mime. 

Sydney always the Fashionesta!

A born leader, I watched a few years ago at the softball field as she drew a crowd of kids twice her age, leading them into some dare devilish adventure.  Most of the time she is the ring-leader in pursuing anything new and exciting;  the consummate CEO, engaging her team’s support in whatever endeavor she undertakes.   If it doesn’t interest her, she can cajole and delegate so adeptly, you are thrilled to be making her bed, or doing her homework for her just so you can be in her presence.  If it is something she is headstrong about pursuing, she doesn’t much care what the cost is, and accepts her punishment with the attitude it was worth the crime, and her time.  She seems untouched by discipline, and takes her licks and moves on reliving her forbidden adventure with a smile. 

Her tenacity is one of her greatest attributes.  The spirit of Winston Churchill lives on in Ms. Sydney, and she is inclined to never, ever quit.  This quality is especially inspiring when you witness "giving it her all" at basketball games.  She is an itty-bitty girl and her tiny stature borders on comical with most of the players towering over her.  But, she’s a little bull-dog when it comes to defense, nipping at the  the knee caps of her opponents.  The most joyful moment  I witnessed recently,  was an entire gym of spectators, crossing their fingers as her shot spiraled towards the basket in slow motion, swooshed through the net after approximately 100 determined trys.  The crowd rose and  roared.  She never gives up! 

Dancer, Diva,
Super Model

One of her favorite things to do is don dress up clothes and walk the red carpet, striking a pose.  She has the Art of THE WALK of  Miss America,  a Victoria Secret Angel, and Paris Fashion Week,  mastered.  She can do the parade wave and blow kisses without missing a beat.  Prancing in dance clothes from past performances, dripping in rhinestones, a marabou fur throw twisted around her shoulders, she’s an 8 year old Mae West.   She loves to dance as well, and has the gift of rhythm and flexibility.  Because of her natural ability, two years ago, she was asked to be a part of our local Competition Team representing her dance studio.  She declined because it would interfere with her Daisy meetings (Girl Scouts), basketball, and softball.  She wasn’t ready to commit to just one passion yet;  there are just too many other adventures to be had! One of her other hobbies is baking and her Great-Grandma M. has helped develop that skill. They have been known to make some incredible desserts and coffee pie is Sydney's specialty!  Look out Julia Child, this little mite has the  charisma to become the next cooking show diva - rather than those trademark pearls, it will be diamonds and stilettos!

International Spy

The depth of her interests and personality can be disarming.  Just about the time you think she is all fluff and self will run riot,  she blows you away with a new interest or says something profound.  Christmas this year, she wanted "spy stuff" as she might add "International Bond Girl" to her repertoire of career options.  She already seems to have a spiritual sense of who she is and where she came from. Recently, she informed her mom that when we die, we don’t really die.... we just come back again, as a different person, into a new life. Reincarnation.  Accusingly, her mother asked me if she had overheard some of my New Age conversations.  I assured her that I knew better than to discuss matters of that magnitude around Sydney.  We looked at each other in awe at the depth of this little child’s innate beliefs that touched on some enlightened truths! 

Exasperating at times when her willfulness runs amok, she's blessed to have two loving gardeners (her parents) who carefully cultivate those buds of fearlessness, while pruning away some of the impulsivity and kindly nurturing self confidence and high esteem. The term born leader is fitting.   Sydney Rebecca will be the teeny- tiny girl, from the small town, that made good.   She is simply blind to obstacles with a  20/20 vision for opportunity.  

Happy Birthday
my  beautiful, confident,
 little lady!

Sydney will be 8 years old in a few days.  Where has the time gone?  When she was a little girl, I was her passion.  She loved her Mimi intensely, and when she got into trouble, she howled for me to save her from the torture of discipline, routine, or structure. Today Sydney would tell you, we have a special connection- both of us sassy, adventurous, and total girly-girls.  She, as well as her sisters are my passion and heart's desire.  They show me the real meaning of starting anew, how to act silly, hug often,  explore, experience a new kind of enlightenment, love unconditionally, and dream big.... on their behalf..... and,  right along with them.