It’s Chantelle’s birthday today and I wanted to take a few minutes to tell some stories about her. She had said that Reid would be the best birthday present. When I suggested that I’d skip this email she told me that she was looking forward to it. No pressure, eh ;+)

When we were kids, Grandma Joyce used to tell us that she hoped that each of us got a child that was just like us. Chantelle was Pam’s mini-me. I, of course, wasn’t born when Pam was young but Grandma Joyce said that Pam had a whiny voice, regardless of what words she was saying. Chantelle had that, too, for awhile. She had her sparkly, happy eyes and a whine that made you want to stab your own eyes. (Sorry, Chantelle, but it’s true.) We spent lots of time talking about Happy Face Hannah and Sad Face Sue. They don’t make sense in retrospect, since Chantelle’s voice and not her face was the problem. When we drew her attention to her tone, Chantelle could use a happier one. It’s hard to believe now, since Chantelle seems to always be smiling and talks in a very pleasant voice but back in the day, it was a different story.

When I think of how Grandma Joyce’s wish of a mini-me for each of us and how I see that it has come to pass for each of the others, I wonder what aspects of Reid are like my childhood self. In those moments when she is driving me crazy, especially, I wonder if it is my payback, compliments of Grandma Joyce. It’s a lot like that Chinese curse/blessing: May you live in interesting times. It cuts both ways.

As a grown woman, Chantelle has impressed me by her industriousness. I know first hand how easy it is to get comfortable in your job and let schooling slide. The courses that Chantelle has taken have taken her away from deserved rest but she perseveres. And really, doesn’t every family need someone who is a trained aesthetician? ;+)

Happy birthday, Chantelle.