Happy Birthday to the Wookie

Today is my daughter Allison's 22nd birthday.  As I reflect on the last 22 years, I see a person who has gone through tremendous change.  During her early childhood, Ali was very active socially.  When attending one of Lyndy's sporting events, she would spend the entire time socializing with complete strangers.  We would find her sitting on the lap of other parents carrying on a conversation. 

When Allison played sports, she used the games as a social outlet.  I remember a particular soccer game when she was around 5 years old.  Those games were more accurately described as herd ball.  During one such herd, Allison and her new team mate and friend were seen strolling out of the herd, arms around each others shoulders, talking about whatever 5 year olds talk about.  Allison did not like to play softball, I suspect because playing the outfield can be lonely.  I have memories of her chasing butterflies in center field, and slowing moving to the left or right enough that she could talk with the other fielders.

Allison was always a very girly kid.  She had a princess dress that she wore over her normal clothes.  She wore it everyday for months.  That was during her Little Mermaid phase, when she watched the movie at least once every day for nearly a year.  For toys, Allison liked Cabbage Patch dolls and Mapletown.  I don't believe she even showed an interest in playing with Lyndy's giant Skeletor collection.  They were two different kids.  As part of her girly personality, Allison liked long hair.  That, along with her hairy arms and legs earned her the nickname the little Wookie after the popular Star Wars character.

As Allison grew older, she changed significantly but never lost the girliness.  Terri and I were very unaware of the character she was building.  We saw an immature young lady, when just under the surface was growing a principled person with strong character.  It took the misfortunes that her and husband Jimmy encountered just after their marriage to expose just what a good, kind, and decent person we had raised.

So Allison, I promise to not call you The Wookie anymore.  I hope that you have a wonderful birthday.  You Mother and I love you very much. 

Happy Birthday, Douche Bag.