HAPPY BIRTHDAY KATARINA :: You + me = Super Fun
Is it inappropriate to call and eleven year old girl a badass? If so, then I’ll happily take however many demerits this transgression might cost me, because I can’t help myself. This is always the first word that comes to mind when I think of Katarina. If I were eleven years old, I would want to be Katarina’s best friend. Actually, I’m way older than that and I still want to be her best friend. She’s cute, fun, funny, brave, wise, kind and totally super kewl. She is an astounding big sister to her three younger siblings, a soccer star in the making, and has a wild, creative spirit that never ceases to blow me away. A few little tidbits about Katarina:
* She witnessed the birth of her youngest brother when she was just seven years old. Her maturity and sensitivity made the already profoundly joyful experience of witnessing a live birth that much sweeter.
* One night when I babysat the kids, I cleaned up the kitchen and sat down to watch a movie with them. Before Katarina joined us, she went around and dimmed the lights. This was when she was nine.
* Being the soccer stud-ette that she is, she could have chosen to play for any fancy club team this year – as she did last year – but instead chose to play for her local AYSO team so she could play with her friends.
* Her team usually kicked butt, in no small part to her scoring abilities, but I remember seeing a game in which she played against a few of her friends from school. She scored, her team won, and I know she felt a little bit bad about it.
When I think of Katarina, the adjectives come pouring out of my brain like an erupting volcano. Only instead of hot, destructive lava, big purple flowers spew out. Sensitive. Silly. Girly. Hip. Daring. Adventurous. Strong. Kind. Artistic.
I joke with her that someday soon I am going to make her sit down and sign a pile of paper for me so I can make my millions selling her autograph on ebay when she becomes famous. She thinks this is funny, but I’m not messing around. This badass eleven year old is going to take the world by storm.
Just you wait.
What a beautiful tribute. All girls should be so well understood and appreciated!
Posted by: patry Francis | December 25, 2005 at 09:44 PM
amen! it comforts me to know there are these amazing badass girls out there who will rule and heal the world when i'm an old lady. inspiring!
Posted by: la vie en rose | December 24, 2005 at 05:03 PM
What a fantastic young woman. Wow! And how great that you recognize all that she is and will be.
Posted by: liz elayne | December 24, 2005 at 07:08 AM
Awww..how cute. An amazing tribute to an amazing little girl!
Posted by: teahouseblossom | December 23, 2005 at 08:40 PM
Katarina reminds me so much of my friend's daughter Catalina who just turned 9. Same amazing spirit and glow. Thanks for sharing this with us, it was fun and heartwarming to read :) Kerstin
Posted by: Kerstin | December 23, 2005 at 05:31 PM
Katarina reminds me so much of my friend's daughter Catalina who just turned 9. Same amazing spirit and glow. Thanks for sharing this with us, it was fun and heartwarming to read :) Kerstin
Posted by: Kerstin | December 23, 2005 at 05:31 PM
i have 5 nieces and two daughters - i love
watching them grow and i am always so amazed at their confidence and talents.
we are all so blessed!
Posted by: kelly | December 23, 2005 at 01:46 PM
I'll keep my eye out for her :) Happy Holidays, Swirly!
Posted by: AGK | December 23, 2005 at 09:26 AM