quote from a blog my friend Rachel led me too...
"Katherine on the other hand is my chrysanthemum (sometimes she borderlines on poinsettia). While she is a very intelligent builder and problem solver and figured out how to scramble eggs at the age of four (another blog), she didn't really speak in sentences until age 3; she didn't read until she was 11 and still doesn't spell well, she didn't pay attention to documentaries until age 13, and has just started playing the flute at 15. From very early on, people (relatives, friends, us) wondered what was wrong. Was there some developmental delays or learning disabilities?
When she was about 9 (and still not reading), I began to understand that there wasn't really anything wrong with her; she was just a chrysanthemum and I had to trust that she would bloom at the time appointed for her. Oh, it was frustrating, especially for me. I was used to growing crocuses; I knew how to feed and water them and here I was I was with a flower that was wilting and just wouldn't bloom. Once I stopped feeding my chrysanthemum like a crocus, she began to grow strong and healthy. Now it is fall and all the other flowers are done blooming. But my chrysanthemum; well, it's finally her appointed time and she's starting to blossom; and oh, how beautiful she is.
My garden will be empty of flowers in a few years. They will have matured and, prayerfully, gone to seed. Both children plan to homeschool their children and will be tending their own gardens. I will be there to give them love, support, and advice. I will tell them: Tend your flower garden wisely. Give sun to those who love it and shade those that don't. Learn the type of soil each loves to grow in and give them each the right amount of water. Enjoy your spring crocuses, don't forget to see your daisies in summer, and most importantly, wait for your chrysanthemums -- they will bloom. I promise."
There is more to her post and if you want to read the rest here you can.
The reason that this was so wonderful to read today is that I have been worrying a lot about my daughter in her lack of desire to learn to read better and to be where I think she should be. Did you hear me say where "I" think she should be? I need to realize that we are so different and that in time she will bloom into the beautiful flower God created her to be and I just need to learn how to foster that and allow it to happen. It's not that she doesn't know how to read as much as her confidence level in it and how that stops her from doing a lot of stuff she wants to do somethings and that saddens me. We all want the very best for our children and I have realized that I can't force some things and just need to give it time. I love how the Lord can use such simple things such as a blog post from a complete stranger to give us the gentle push we have been needing.
