GIRLY GIRLS

(sigh)
Shannon, my beautiful, smart, talented, educated daughter is 35. ALWAYS she has been independent and always has been a cross between a tomboy and a feminine creature. Never a girly girl though. She's at home in jeans and work boots, rides horses, gets her hands dirty landscaping, rode dirt bikes when she was younger. She was the only girl on the T-ball team when she was six, and it was HER decision to play. But she always cleaned up nicely and would knock the socks off anyone when she dressed up rather than down. She was on the homecoming court in high school and you'd have never known she would have liked to have her sneakers on beneath that evening gown. She's married and has two sons, and she'll tell you that there's WAY TOO MUCH testosterone in that household! LOL

While I love to cook, entertain, focus on the details of a nicely decorated home and elegantly-set table, Shannon has never had the slightest interest in these things. Recently though I've seen a subtle change in her -- not a deviation from who she is but merely an extension of her personality and a realization that she can round out her interests in ways that complement her feminine side.

She took dance from the time she was three until she was 16 and possessed a poise and grace beyond her young years. She has a flair for showmanship and is bold yet classy in her movements. Recently she decided to gather up the little girls in her neighborhood and teach them to tap. Her husband and sons installed a dance floor and full-length mirrors in the basement, wired it for sound and voila! Shannon's Dance Studio was born!

She has four sweet young things who come regularly to learn to dance -- free of charge -- and they're planning a revue for the parents in June to show off their new skills. She's buying costumes for them and having a sit-down dinner for the girls afterward to hone their etiquette skills as well. Afterwards they'll do their nails and hair, watch movies and giggle. Shannon's involvement with them has been amazing. They love her, and their excitement with the dance has exhilirated her as well.

So, while this child of mine will never be a girly girl, she's finding that there're ways to incorporate both sides of her personality into Life With Three Men. Who knows? Maybe she'll eventually ask for my cookbook collection!

(sigh)