My Other Daughter

When Kelsey was in first grade, Erin was about the most adorable little blonde preschooler anyone had ever seen.  When we would be out shopping, Erin would look the clerk straight in the eye, smile her best smile and say hello, then tuck her lower lip in her mouth just a tad.  It melted everyone's heart, and she was constantly being given things just because she was cute and polite.  She raked in countless quarters, paint sticks and brushes, gum balls, you name it.

One day when we went to pick Kelsey up from school, Erin showed Kelsey the day's loot.  Kelsey looked at Erin, absolutely stunned.  With slumped shoulders, Kelsey came over to me and asked in a trembling voice, "Mom, did you tell them about your other daughter?"  It just about broke my heart.

Erin and Drew have been so busy with high-profile, end-of-school activities, you may think Kelsey's been left in the dust.  I want to take a moment today and recognize her hard work.  While her siblings skated thru the last two weeks of school without homework, Kelsey's been wrapping up projects and reports.  While Erin and Drew celebrate the first days of their summer break, Kelsey's been studying diligently for finals.  This is the part of high school that's not much fun - still being in school and working hard well into June.

I know that in just a few days, my beautiful, happy Kelsey-Girl will also be done with school, and she'll be thrilled.  Hang in there, Honey, it's almost over!