Ali-sweetness-son

Alison is so precious.  Because Poudre School District is having some teacher prep days, I got to have her today and yesterday.  She's so good.  My kids always love it when she comes over, and they scream and shout and smother her.  She's always really anxious to go home when Rae gets off of work, I think it's because we're so loud (yes, we are).  She is used to her quiet little house and her own room with her mom 2 miles away, just far enough that she won't hear our crazy playing. 

She read me the beginnings of a story she's writing.  She's incredibly talented, I loved listening to her read the words, her little mouth is mesmerizing.  She's so quiet and tender, such a blessing to our family. 

This is an excerpt from her first chapter:  "She finally rested at a big, shady tree.  'I love to run.' Samantha whispered to herself.  She jumped, she was surprised to hear her voice after listening to such silence.  Samantha looked around at the beautiful grass and sun.  Samantha saw something shiny in the corner of her eye, she moved closer to get a good look.  Samantha looked curiously at the shiny, smooth object.  She realized it was a little rock.  The rock was light pink and shiny and shaped like a heart if you looked at it in the right way....."

Then the end of the first chapter:  "Samantha had a pleasant feeling go through her, she wished that she could always feel the good of the sun's rays give her warmth and hear the peaceful, beautiful silence of life, not even cars or people fight or crying or screaming, nothing.  She loved the sound of nothing, nothing to hear but the wind and the farm animals and chirping birds.  As the sun gave a final touch of warmth, Samantha soon fell asleep under that big shady tree that she had found the little rock that was still in her pocket."

The part you didn't get to hear about was that Samantha had just moved from the city to a farm.  She had her first bus ride experience, made a friend named Calvin, and met her new teacher.  It was such a sweet little story!  Actually, it's not complete...and I can't wait to hear what happens next.

I had to snicker at the silence that Samantha loves so much.  I think Alie is Samantha...she loves quiet, no screaming, or fighting....just nothing.  :)  And that is why she likes to run out of the house when her mom comes to get her.  I hope. :)  She's always happy to come here, but we are a pretty overwhelming experience right now. 

Sometimes I think about life just 4 years ago...two kids, quiet living, not much stress or even business.  The change has been drastic for us.  But I am familiar with it, having grown up with 4 siblings and lots of bodies in one space.  I can see how it would be overwhelming for those who have smaller families.  And I feel a bit of compassion for my quiet backyard neighbor. 

But this is not about her.  Isn't Alison amazing?  Oh, she also sings like a rock-star.  I am not kidding you.  She's composed some songs of her own, and sung them for me.  She's incredible.  She could win American Idol if she wanted to...or America's got talent or something like that. She's got music inside of her, is truly gifted, and is a beauty to behold!  I love you Alison.