Tuesday, December 09, 2008

having a voice...

One of these days, I suspect someone is going to start screaming at me, telling me to "just shut up already" about my kids. But you know, I just can't help it...I think we may just be genetically predisposed to be proud of our offspring's every accomplishment. And right now I am feeling especially proud of Annie...

A little background: There's a park near here with a beautiful hiking trail. It's a wonderful place to view wildlife. A great birding spot, for one thing. Anyway, they've proposed greatly widening, and paving, the trail for biking. Now, I most certainly have nothing against bikes. We love riding our bikes. But there are already a multitude of biking trails in the area. So anyway, last night there was a town meeting to discuss the whole matter. Bottom line, if the town goes through with it, they're going to get sued anyway, because they're ignoring the Endangered Species Act (there are two threatened species that would be affected and the current plans don't take this into consideration). Anyway, none of that is really the point anyway.

The point is that Annie took part in the process. She was incredibly nervous, but she went to this meeting and spoke up anyway. She only talked for a couple of minutes, telling about one of the wonderful experiences she has had along the trail. She told about how one day she had the privilege of watching a snapping turtle laying its eggs right there on the trail itself. And she said how she would hate to have these kind of experiences taken away from her in the future. I didn't get to attend the meeting (too late for the boys, and probably way too much sitting still for them as well), but Rich said Annie did wonderfully. She came home so proud of herself for battling her nervousness, and with a big smile on her face told me of how everyone clapped when she finished speaking.

Way to go, Annie!

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

You have every right to be proud of Annie. I think it's great that she's getting involved in community affairs and such at her young age. She's quite a girl!

Jean said...

I second your "way to go, Annie!" I hope her comments worked!

Heather J. @ TLC Book Tours said...

Wow, GO ANNIE! Standing up for what she beleives at this age will go a long way toward helping her be a confident teen, young adult, and woman. She's learning that her opinion and her voice ARE important, even when people don't necessarily agree with her. What a great lesson.

Melody said...

Annie is brilliant, Debi! You've every right to be proud of her. I think it's great that she's so involved in the community and that she's not afraid of voicing her opinions. Way to go, Annie!

Ali said...

I never get tired of people talking about their kids. I'm impressed that your daughter spoke up at a town meeting!

Kailana said...

That's a great story! I don't think people will ever get tired of hearing about your kids. :) Reviewing books is great, of course, but it is nice to have a bit of the everyday mixed in as well.

chrisa511 said...

Good for Annie! Give her a high five for me :) I really hope that y'alls park is preserved!

Ana S. said...

Please don't ever shut up about your kids, as we love hearing about them! And I think I can speak for everyone in this case :P You know, I think you have a point about parents being predisposed to being proud of their kids, but well, you have extra reasons!

Way to go, Annie! It's amazing that she spoke up, and fingers crossed that they listen to her.

DesLily said...

better watch out! A potential congresswoman there!! :o) You go Annie!

Dawn said...

You certainly should be proud of Annie. She is a remarkable young lady!!! Heck, I'm proud of her! I couldn't have done what she did!

Not only is she an asset to your family, but to her community. I think she will most certainly go far in life!

Thank you for your sweet and kind words too! I value our friendship and count you as a dear friend as well!!!!!

take care,
Dawn

Carl V. Anderson said...

Way to freaking go Annie indeed!!! If you cannot brag on your kids on your own blog, where can you? That is tremendously cool and I am so very proud of her. Conquering those type of fears now will make accomplishing her future goals so much easier for her. In addition to having a wonderful outlook on nature and its place in our ever expanding world she has planted seeds that will only continue to grow her into the person she will become. I'm proud of her and am also proud of you and Rich for encouraging and supporting that type of behavior. Way to go!

Robin said...

That's a wonderful story about Annie. Please let her know that all of us are proud of her, too!

Trish @ Love, Laughter, Insanity said...

Brag on, Debi! How wonderful that Annie is learning so young that her voice does matter and that she can be heard. How awesome and brave of her.

Anonymous said...

Tell you to shut up about your kids? NEVER! I love reading things like this. :)

kreed said...

Hooray Annie! And I love getting updates on your kids accomplishments here so you better not stop talking about them any time soon!

BTW, got the box...haven't opened it yet, but it is in one not squished piece! Thanks!

Debi said...

Thank you all for your kind words about Annie...I passed them along to her, and it brought one very large, very sincere smile!

Kara,
Hooray for "not squished"!!!

Anonymous said...

Go Annie! I would have been a nervous wreck. Good for her for speaking up for such an important cause, too . . . .

(ps - I *love* the Rudolph cookies!)