A Tribute to a Trio

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one.
Jane Howard, “Families”  

 

I have a pretty wonderful son. In fact, he’s outstanding and I’ve mentioned this in previous posts. He was the first grandchild born on my side of the family. It was eight years before the next grandchild came along. Today I want to talk about   the three girl cousins who were born after my son

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Gina is first – a dark haired, dark eyed beauty who takes after my mom’s family. She looks a bit like my mom and she is beautiful inside and out. She has a degree in communications and has worked in production in TV. She played softball in high school and also performed with the Chamber Choir, Color Guard and Drama Club. She is an amazing dancer and can be very graceful. She has co-produced an independent movie. She is funny and super talented, creative and sensitive. She loves to sing at karaoke and she is GOOD! She has worked in youth ministry and been a substitute teacher. She is a loving daughter, sister and niece. And she can wing a Frisbee like nobody’s business!

The next niece is Rachel also a dark haired, dark eyed beauty.. She is a year younger than Gina and she came into our family when she was about 8 or 9 years old. Her mom married my brother but that’s a story in and of itself. Rachel is an artist, dancer and singer who played softball in high school and college. She sings at karaoke and at church. She just completed her master’s and passed her medical boards and is awaiting licensing to be a Physician’s Assistant. She, too, is beautiful and talented and loving and smart. Did I mention how smart she is? She passed her boards with flying colors! She has wanted to work in the medical field for as long as I’ve known her. And she is still a really good artist and funnier than heck – and sweet, she is so sweet.

And the next child is Erika. She is light haired and has hazel eyes. She is also smart and beautiful and talented and creative and funny. She was involved in Color Guard and String Ensemble and the Drama Club in high school and is completing her masters in music therapy. She is interning at a nearby hospice and she is effective and learning a lot. She plays guitar and sings and plays a mad cello. She is engaged to a wonderful young man. She still likes me to sit next to her when we go out for dinner.  She is an “old soul”, deep and mystical with a spot of comedy! Two years ago she trained for and completed a 75-mile bike-a-thon.

These girls have amazed me with what they have accomplished in their short lives. I couldn’t have dreamed about what they have achieved already and I can’t wait to see what they do with the next 20 years of their lives.