Knowing
6″x8″ mixed media painting on wood. The sides are 1.5″ deep and are painted red.
This painting is available HERE.
Imogen often tries to cheer up Scarlett. She considers it a challenge and she is really very good at getting her to laugh and forget about why she was sad or mad in the first place. It is really helpful and I appreciate it but also makes me worry. Imogen is so in tune with those around her that she often worries about why we are not feeling happy and it affects her mood. My moods can significantly change her mood. She is that in tune with me. I try to keep my mood in check but it isn’t easy for me, I too, am a very emotional person, that wears my feelings very close to the surface. I guess it is good for creativity but is it good for getting through life? I hope that Imogen has enough self-esteem and confidence that she can balance pleasing others with looking out for herself. She may surprise me, I have no doubt she will. I know that a lot of these worries that I hold about my children stem from the knowledge of the strengths and weaknesses of my own personality. But my children are not me and they are not Chris. They are them and I cannot know these things, no matter how clever I think I am. I often feel certain that I have it all figured out but am constantly reminded that I have no clue.
A good example is our recent experience with soccer. I can not tell you how surprised I am with Imogen’s passion for this game. She loves it. She wants to practice all of the time and is willing to play the whole game if need be. She had her first goal last night. It was a beauty. She is fast, but I knew she was fast, what I did not know was how aggressive she is. She gets that ball, she does not back down.
For instance:
A boy put his foot on the ball and yelled, “Back off, back off”.
She stopped for a split second and then proceeded to take the ball from him.
The best part was that she was laughing when she did it. Not a bit worried about how he felt. Afterall, it is a game and it is about having fun. I am just so glad that she can see that. So maybe she’s already has found that balance or at least is well on her way to figuring it out.
