Firsts

Ok, so I am not really sure what exactly I am doing by blogging. Not really my style....but it may be an easy way to share what is happening in the world around me. Maybe it is more so, to keep Kendra, my little sister, current with the happenings of the family. Kendra has just left for an 11th month stay in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, where she will be working with MCC(Mennonite Central Committee and Project Gateway). I know that she will enjoy every moment she is there. I hope that she is able to take in so many wonderful experiences and in turn share them with her family and friends. I am looking forward to seeing many many pictures and to hear countless stories of her adventures. You can check her blog out at http://southafricanzuluadventures.blogspot.com/. Or maybe the real reason for blogging is to help my mom with her blog. Kendra was were technical assistance when it comes to things of this nature. So to be able to help my mom, I figured I better figure out how blogger works and what better way of doing so, then starting my own blog.

Since this is my FIRST blog, I thought I would tackle the concept of first. It is such a commonplace word. To many people, first has many meanings. For me.....I am the first born, the first daughter and the first granddaughter in my family. An important spot to be....I think so. I was the first to go to school. My birthday is in the first month of the year. I was the first to graduate highschool. Sorry Kris, my name comes before yours alphabetically.

Firsts for many new parents are exciting....the first time your child does something is incredible(just a bit of an educated hunch). I am only an observer in the world of parenting as I watch my sister and close friends raise their children and witness some of these firsts. I chuckle as I recall the first time, my friend gave her little 18 month old a bit of a tangy dill pickle. The moment was indeed priceless as we watched the little puckering of the mouth and the wince in the eyes. My friend and I stood back and continued to watch as Ayla proceeded, puckered mouth and all to finish her piece of pickle. And then, to our amazement, she wanted more.

My nephew Liam, who is 10 sometimes lets us, his family share in many of his firsts. And let me tell you, as an avid sports fanatic.....he is extremely competitive and for him, it is all about winning. I know it is not always about winning but for a kid, it is a very hard concept to grasp. First is so often classified as being the "best" and being a "winner". And what kid doesn't want to be the best or a winner? Certainly not Liam. This year, is the first year that Liam has played baseball. And what a summer it has been for him. His first foray into the world of ball has been astounding. He has gone above and beyond in helping his team garner first place in his league. He was invited to participate in a Recognition Game for the Niagara Mosquitos League. My parents and I made the trip to Niagara Falls to watch the game. And yes, Liam's team won.

Not only do we see firsts with little kids but adults as well. I recall a few months back, while visiting my 86 year Grandma at her nursing home, I showed her my cellphone. The look on her face was of pure astonishment. "How can that possible be a phone?" she said. Her concept of a phone is what she has in her room sitting on her nightstand and plugged into a phone jack. What amazed her even more was when I proceded to take her picture and then showed it to her. The other night, my mom and I visited her and were telling her about Kendra's adventures and how we along with Kris and Kendra had a conference call on Skype. For the life of her, my grandmother could not fathom the idea that all four of us could be in different cities and have a conversation via a computer all at the same moment. What I really waiting to do, is to have my Grandma participate in a conversation with Kendra via the computer. I am sure that this may confuse her somewhat but life is always full of firsts.

Now back to Kendra. She may not be the first born, or even the second or third born in our family. She is, however, the first to move overseas to live. That is a great accomplishment. So often, growing up, I think she may have gotten a little lost in the shuffle and I know for a fact tormented by her older sisters. Rest assured, she may have brought some of that torment on herself. Now, we can sit back and watch her many firsts. Firsts that not a single one of us can ever take away from her. Way to go Kendra. I am so thrilled for you. Wish I could be there too.

First, as commonplace, as it may be, is also rather unique. It has been the very essence of all historical events. It is the start of something that can become a major force in our world. Take the first airplane flight by the Wright Brothers. Where would air transportation be if the Wright Brothers didn't take the chance to be the first? Think about some of the firsts in your own life. Some are momumental while others are minor. They all hold meaning of some nature. So take time to enjoy your first cup of coffee in the morning or the first star you see at night. As I conclude this blog, I am looking forward to many more firsts in my own life and as well as being an observer to many firsts in the lives of my family and close friends. It is a wonderful experience.