October 22, 2009

Finding Your Joy

Recently Emma started horse back riding lessons. My youngest is a lot of things: sweet, brilliant, loving, funny, but here's what she's not, a follower or a joiner. We've tried to get her involved in activities and sports before and she's never really taken to any of it. She's a homebody and a Mama's girl and is usually content to be left to her own devices, but since she loves animals and nature we thought this might be a good fit. It was.


We took her last night for her 2nd lesson just to prove it wasn't a fluke. She's a natural. Her instructor says we're in trouble. Em is so relaxed that she hums the whole time she is out there, she is in her own little world  but she listens to everything she is told and processes it and explains it back to the teacher. It's amazing to watch my daughter doing something she was meant to be doing and that clearly gives her such joy. And that little smile? It never leaves her face.

17 comments:

  1. She looks like a natural...and that smile is priceless!

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  2. Good morning Jen :)

    She does look like a natural! I rode for years and like your beautiful daughter it was the only sport I ever liked.

    I don't think you're "in trouble", but it's only a matter of time before she'll want a horse of her own ;)

    rue

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  3. Jen, Emma has found her niche....and that's a great feeling. What a great mama you are to lead her to it.

    Will was like her in that we signed him up for every sport and he hated it. He hated "team" anything. Then in 10th grade, he picked Photography for his elective and he found his place.

    Our children are not us....they just come through us.

    xoxo, Julia

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  4. Oh what a great choice. I rode as a kid and loved it. I wish I would have kept up with it. I am getting ready to start my six year old!
    Bristol

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  5. and isn't that what we all want for our children....not matter their age!

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  6. Yep.... Emma looks like a natural, like she has been riding for years.

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  7. Such a gorgeous pic Jen ~ you can see the peacefullness on Emma's face ...and that horse - how spectacular! I'm a lover of horses too ♥

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  8. I was such a Homebody in high school. Always wanted to be home. Didn't have many friends in high school either,never joined a club, not interested in cheerleading sports, dances, proms,friends...just wanted to be on my horse....

    My mom said it saved me.I think it did too.

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  9. I took the attitude while raising my three children that I should step back and let them find there way. There were a few, ummmmm, missteps, but today they are grown adults, living in different parts of the world - flourishing.

    Emma is lovely. I am so happy to hear that she is enjoying her riding lessons, and may I say that you're a good Mom to know what it takes to help her find her way.

    Zuzu

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  10. In trouble indeed!

    As a past rider and having a horse addicted girl...It creeps into your soul fast!

    Best thing ever though!

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  11. i loved riding when is was younger...but only got the chance every now and then. glad that you're encouraging her in that direction. something about a girl and a horse :)

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  12. There is a beautiful farm just down the road from us and I have been meaning to sign my daughter up for riding lessons...wanting to live vicariously :)

    Your daughter looks like a real beauty on that horse!

    :) T

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  13. Having children, myself, that are all so incredibly different, it's so important for me to help each of them find things they love. Where they feel joy. What a blessing for Emma to find her fit. That makes me very happy. All children should have the opportunity to find what they love. Bless you for helping her find her joy.

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  14. She sounds a lot like my son...just like you guys we've tried him at a number of team sports, but he is just not interested. On the back of a horse he's a different kid. He has so much compassion, and I think the horses respond to that. He took lessons at Kaufman's on 146th Street. We really liked that barn...it was more of a laid back atmosphere and not quite as pricey as some of the others!

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  15. I can feel your joy......there is nothing as satisfying as seeing our children find their joy.

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  16. What a feel-good post! That's great to have found that "fit". :)

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