Paige's Day

Happy Birthday to my closest sister in both age and proximity.

I tell Paige regularly that I am busy learning the lessons in life that she was born knowing.  Here are some things that Paige does naturally that I am learning to do slowly:

Boundaries: I am learning that I have limits (even socially!) and that it is okay to know myself and my situation and say from the beginning if something is not going to work for me. I remember Paige telling friends they could go home. She never hesitated to make boundaries clear. I was her sister, yes we were close, but I still could not like yellow or play her piano songs :) Her boundaries have changed over the years, but she is still a good example of knowing where she needs those boundaries.

Confidence: It is okay for me to be confident in my abilities. Have I ever taught Spanish before this year? No. Do I have a teaching license? No (well, technically I have a provisional one) Have I ever completed student teaching? No. Can I teach high school Spanish? Sure! My training, studies and experiences are valid even if I don't have certificates saying they are. Paige wasn't afraid to build a business or write books. She just knew she could do these things.

Independence: Regardless of who I am married to, who my children are or others I am associated with, I am my own person. I have been learning to build my own identity based on my own likes and desires. (I can actually have preferences and desires? It's crazy and amazing!) Paige has always had her own identity and been proud of who she is. That independence runs deep and strong. I am still learning, but where she is, is my goal.

Happy Birthday, Paige. Thank you for being a living, breathing example for me to follow.