Chelsi
From a very young age, Chelsi has shown compassion, an ability to dive directly into life, an affinity for animals, strength, and determination. She has grown into a remarkable young woman with these same traits.
She and Kirsten were under a year old and teething, Kirsten’s teeth gave her a tough time, so she chewed objects– and sometimes Chelsi. Chelsi kindly put up with it until one day when she bit Kirsten back quite hard. Thereafter, if Kirsten got ‘that look’ on her face, Chelsi would open her mouth wide, eliciting a sound halfway between a lion’s roar and a monkey’s hiss. Tolerance had met its limit.
Through most of their lives, I have made an individual birthday cake for each daughter. On their first birthday, Chelsi literally dove in into the cake, coming up with a face full of yummy icing. Chelsi often approaches life with that same enthusiasm, though she has developed the ability to observe & think before she dives. Her ability to observe details and think thoroughly has led her to her chosen field of work.
Unloading groceries from the car has always been a family chore. One day, at around 3 years old, Doug & Kirsten had just gone into the house with their respective loads– the only things remaining were Doug’s 12-packs of soda. I told Chelsi they were too heavy…. Chelsi’s reply was an emphatic “No!” and arms reached out. She carried that box into the house. If you tell Chelsi something is impossible or too hard, she will figure out a way to get it done.
Animals have been an abiding love and passion Chelsi’s whole life. We have always had 4-footed family members. The first time Chelsi sat on a pony, she was at home in the saddle. Horses have provided communication, joy, grounding, challenge, accomplishment, solace– and, above all, a happiness and ‘rightness’ with life. On a trip to New Orleans, she and I were site-seeing near Jackson Square. There was a line of several mules and carriages. We both were immediately drawn to a particular one. The driver said the mule was a little cranky. Chelsi put her hands on the mule’s neck, ran it over the shoulder and found a sore spot. She began a gentle massage, I did the same for a spot on the neck. The mule dropped its head and relaxed. Chelsi ran her hands down the rest of the shoulder and found another sore spot on the leg. I am not sure who was happier: the mule or Chelsi. She said: “Drop me anywhere, and I will find an equid.” She is drawn to them and they to her. Chelsi is a forth generation horsewoman. She has always had “the touch” with horses.
Chelsi and Guy
Chelsi spent part of her junior year of college in Edinburgh. She began mentioning a young man named Guy who she was dating. Kirsten was also in Europe, met Guy and reported he was nice, they were quite affectionate, and Chelsi was happy. Good things for a Mom to know. Chelsi also told me that Guy had thoughtfully made her a lovely dinner the night she returned from Italy with a less than 24 hour turn-around until leaving for Amsterdam. What a kind young man! I hadn’t met him, but I approved. Chelsi returned to the US to finish college, went on for her Master’s, and on again for her Doctorate studies.
Now for one of the loveliest fairy tale romances…. Chelsi was in Copenhagen doing research. She went to Edinburgh for a swing dance weekend (another joy of hers). While their, a mutual friend said Guy was back in country, he had Guy’s phone number and Chelsi should call. Taa-daa– Chelsi did! The rest is history: ten years after they parted, they got back together. Kismet, cosmic and definitely meant to be.
We finally met Guy when he came to the US. He is indeed, a very nice man! As a mother, I watched closely. I liked how they interacted with each other, they were considerate, kind, and independent (Guy being able to entertain himself while Chelsi went to work or studied). Doug and I both spent times getting to know Guy, we understood why Chelsi loves him. I was impressed that Guy bakes using sourdough starter (quite a feat), they clearly liked being together, and Guy was considerate of Chelsi’s need for independence/space.
Chelsi also went to Scotland. On one trip, she told me Grandfather Maving had told Guy: “She’s a keeper.” I’m so glad Maving said that. I’ve learned Guy’s family is close, active, can-do, participatory– so many good and important things.
Chelsi moved to Scotland– we knew it was a permanent move because she took Spice! Another of my reasons to think so highly of Guy is that he made a nest on the bed and one on the couch for Spice. He accepts Spice as a big part of Chelsi and helped Spice be warm and comfortable. Love my daughter, love her dog. One last reason to like Guy: he has gotten Chelsi to help with gardening…. I’ll let her explain.
