Lighting Another Candle

"If I do nothing else in this life, I have sent three amazing women into it." ~ Linda Sharp

Culley, Kendall, and Carson are amazing.  Anyone who has had the privilege of entering their orbits knows this immediately.  They are kind, funny, considerate, loving, open minded, accepting, and smart.

They are everything a parent hopes their child to grow to be.

Sixteen years ago today, Rudy and I entered the hospital and forcibly evicted Carson from the Uterine Towers (downtown at the corner of Ovary and Fallopian). 

Sixteen years ago, this child, the one that we had not planned, came into this world, changing ours, enriching ours, completing a family we had thought to already be complete.

We could not have been more wrong about that last part.

Face it, most of us aren't planned.  Whether by pure accident or off timing, many, many, many of us are conceived unexpectedly.  That doesn't mean unwanted.  That simply means, "Whoa, how'd that happen?"

Carson did take us by surprise.  We were content in thinking we were the typical 2 child family, but we obviously had not taken the steps to shut down the production facilities.

Something I am thankful for every single day.

This child was meant to be here.  There was a spot in the universe just waiting for her arrival.  And from Day 1, she has added to every breath we have taken.

For sixteen years I have had the honor of parenting this amazing human being.  Watching her grow, figuring her out, marveling at talents that spring from within her, proud to see the person she is, what she stands for, how she embraces life.

I have often written that "Carson eats life with the big spoon."  Would that we all were so brave and adventurous, so unafraid of what is around corners, comfortable in our own skin, confident in the stands we take, fearless in the face of confrontation, ignorance, bigotry.

For years I have dedicated space here to waxing rhapsodic about my daughters.  Sharing their triumphs, their heartbreaks, their achievements, allowing you in to watch them grow.  And in your indulgence of that, I know our extended "family" has grown, that so many of you truly do cheer at good news, want to hug them through the bad, and how you marvel at how long you have "known" them.

Carson's life is about to explode.  I can feel it.  And I mean it in a good way.  She is entering her junior year of high school.  She is entering the world of NCAA recruiting full speed ahead - already garnering her first offer last week from simply attending a camp at a Texas college - something that still has me stunned.  A camp.  Yes, she totally kicked ass at that camp, in fact the way I described it to Rudy was "she owned it".  But to come home to an offer of a spot being held for her on their 2014 roster? 

Well, I say it finally made it REAL to her, but in all honesty it finally made it real to me, too.  Granted, it's not the Olympics, but I have a glimmer of how Gabby Douglas's mother has felt watching her child's hard fought for dreams come true.

I have had a front row seat for every training session, CATZ session, ball drill in the backyard, camp, private lesson, etc.  I have been at the Ground Zero of the emotions she puts into this, what it takes out of her, her heart being broken by callous trainers, only to have a different trainer sweep in and lift her back up.  I have seen the buckets of sweat, literal blood, painful injuries and recoveries, and too many tears to count.  I have seen her juggle more committments than most adults ever will, and have seen what true dedication looks like.  But to see it all finally culminating in her dream of playing collegiate being realized?  It's a little surreal.

Her soccer is on track.  Her passion for acting burns bright.  Her art just as much.  I share some on Facebook, and some of you are friends with her so you see it as she shares it.  She is phenomenal.  It is not just her ability to capture something and create it, it is the depth of emotion in her drawings. 

She is only turning 16 and works for Engine 2 (through Whole Foods) drawing for their kids' newsletter.  Some of you have already asked if she would do your Christmas cards. 

It is exciting to think about where that talent will lead her once the expiration date of soccer playing has been reached.

As a person, well, that is where I am most proud.  Carson is the rare person in this world (and even rarer to be so young and this way) that truly knows who she is.  In a teenage girl world where long thick locks are coveted as dearly as One Direction tickets, she cut all hers off, because it suited her.  She doesn't trowel on make-up, hiding behind mascara or believing that the right lip gloss will snag her the right guy.  She doesn't do drama.  Spare her the histrionics and angst of high school dating.  She does friendships that are solid, true.  She stands up for and defends those who are victimized, who are easy targets.  She sees those who are marginalized by others, who are invisible, and draws them out.  She makes people laugh.  She makes people feel safe.  She inspires.

For sixteen years I have had the honor and privilege of this child calling ME, Mom.

It might be her 16th birthday, but I get the gift of Carson every single day.

Happy Birthday, you amazing, crazy, talented girl.  The world truly doesn't know what is about to hit it.

Comments

[Paul Klemme]

Carson was 12 when I met her that one time at The Oasis -- where does the time go? Happy sixteenth, young lady. Grab the world by the tail and "carpe diem!"

[Bobbsey]

Linda, I completely understand the sentiment of the "oopsie" baby being the one that completes the family package. I see my Neo that way. Once they are here, you wonder how you ever imagined life without them.

[Theresa from Virginia]

Happy belated birthday Carson! You are an impressive young lady and I wish you the very best that life has to offer! The world is your oyster!

Congratulation to Linda and Rudy on bringing that little surprise into the world and raising her into a real go-getter!

[Nikki in NYC]

Hope you had a wonderful birthday, Carson. I actually wondered, while watching the women's US soccer team, if we will see you there in 2016 or 2020!

[Tracy in Cincy]

AND.... I was terribly busy yesterday and didn't get to read the blog, so HAPPY BIRTHDAY CARSON. You are an amazing young woman. All the best to you.

[Another Lori in TX]

Another belated, but just as heartfelt, Happy 16th Birthday to Carson! She is an amazing young woman, and I wish her the best as she enters her Junior year.

[Chicky]

Late to the party too, but I did want to say, Linda, that love letter/birthday card was so beautiful. Your way with words must make your girls as proud of you as you are of them. It was gorgeous. Carson, I hope your day was just as special as you are. I love that every photo we see of you has your beautiful smile lighting up the room. You are a gifted young woman, and there are so many people in your corner rooting for you. Happy Birthday!

[Lori in Texas]

I'm late to the party, due to spending the last 24 hours with a very sick grandbaby, but I wish Carson the best and brightest of Sweet Sixteens! Watching her grow into a phenomenal young woman has been both a pleasure and a privilege. All my love to the Sharp Family on this special day.

[Veronica]

Happy Birthday Carson! Hope your day has been great :)

[audreyf]

Equally, (well,maybe not TOTALLY equally)as proud of her as you guys are! Carson, you truly are an amazing person and I wish all the best for you on this, your 16th birthday and always! Don't forget us when you're rich and famous! Ha!Regardless of where you go or what you do, I'm sure you'll be happy, whether you're a gazillionaire or not! P.S. Every time I saw Rapinoe, I transposed your face on her body! LOL!!!

[RBlues]

Happy Birthday Carson! I too was thinking that someday (soon) we will be watching her win Gold with the US Women's Soccer Team!

[Alisa]

Happy Birthday Carson! You are an incredibly special, gifted person and we are all much better off because you're in the world.

[Elizabeth in Portland]

Happy Birthday to Carson, so fun to read about her adventures! It will be fun to see where she ends up at the end of the recruiting process. One never knows where that journey will lead. I had so much fun watching my daughter and all the girls on her team go thru that,play in college, and now have graduated and moving to the next stage. Sounds like your family is so grounded, that Carson will make the decision that is best for her! Good luck with process, it is fun, scary and a little stressful!

[Katy]

Happy Birthday Big C!

Linda, it doesn't take a crystal ball to see that Carson is destined for greatness. I would not be the least bit surprised to see her in a movie or TV series in the near future. That, or playing for the US soccer team in the Olympics! :-D

[Ame]

Happy Birthday Carson! You are amazing!!

[IrishM]

Wow, what a great entry on a truly great young woman! Happy Birthday Carson! Keep the updates coming, Linda; I can't wait to follow Carson's soccer career at college (or maybe that Tony award....) Slainte!

[Jamie in WI]

I said it on FB, and I will repeat it here - Happy sweet 16 Carson! I just KNOW that someday I will be seeing you get a Gold medal! Your an amazing young woman - enjoy your day!

[Rudy]

Indeed Carson is the best gift of all!

[Sue, Sacramento]

Happy Birthday Carson!!! Have a wonderful day!!!

[Amy in CT]

Simply beautiful Linda! Thank you for letting us "watch" your beautiful daughters blossom!

Happy Birthday Carson! I know you are going to have an amazing year!

[Diane]

Happy, happy birthday Carson! May your day be as special as you are!