When I think of Sarah, what I recognize in her, is that intense passionate nature that carries her into different worlds especially when it comes to music. Frequently she is swept away by the flow and melody. We always share music together in the car and at home and I tell her all about the old music I know. She is always attentive to such talks and is highly interested. This includes compositions of all types. For instance, I can play music for her from the 70's and 80's and she soaks them in like a sponge. When I listen to the tabernacle choir on Sundays, she can be seen scurrying in as fast as she can in her bath robe to listen to something that vibrates inside her soul. She doesn't just hear the songs, she takes a bath in them. She drinks them in, ingests them and they become a part of her. To say she is musically talented is an understatement, but she is no mere technician. Music flows in and out of her as easily as a fish imbibing water through its gills.
My only worry is that our passionate nature can take us too far if unchecked. That's the plight of many an artist. They allow their powerful emotions and sensitive natures to carry them out to sea where they drown and forget the source of their gift and lose the ability to tell the difference between feeling and spirit. God forbid that! I think I have taught my girl to know and recognize the Master Artist. The truth is that Sarah is a light and I pray that she always uses her gifts to bless others.
Analisa resembles me physically. That's not to say that she looks like me! Sorry Analisa. :) Where I see myself in her is in her tennis. She just loves to strike the ball, and not just strike it, I mean pound it! When I was growing up, I did everything hard in all my sports. I just gave everything 100% and still have that tendency. Analisa is the same way. We've been trying to pull her back for years and have encouraged her to put some finesse in her game. That's a difficult concept for her to grasp. The chemical reactions exploding in her brain when she smacks the ball are a natural high that she wants to experience again and again. It's like candy for the brain. I can relate. Both of us would spend tons of hours on the tennis court if we could. It just feels too good. Outside of tennis, she is as peaceful as a river and doesn't need to be catered to. She's a happy soul and she's a great influence for good to those around her.
Katherine, "Baby Kate", is the only one of my children that I don't really see too much of myself in. Of course she loves music, has a great sense of humor, loves to dance just like her old man. But there is something unique and beautiful in her. When she was born I was impressed during her baby blessing that she was a nurturing and compassionate spirit. The prompting has been verified over and over again as she is the first one to volunteer to serve others. She loves to babysit and doesn't even mind babysitting her little brothers. She has a special tenderness for the elderly. She likes to visit care centers and carry her special brand of sunshine to others less fortunate. All I can say is that she is just a complete and whole spirit. She's not needy. She doesn't crave all the attention. The best word I can use for her is "complete". She was fully cooked when she came to us. I guess you could say that Kate is an advanced spirit and I am so privileged to be her Dad.
Matthew mirrors me in his curiosity and desire to learn. He also mirrors me in his youthful impatience. When he learns something new, he thinks he can master it immediately and is unhappy that the new skill takes time and effort to master. He's also musically gifted like Sarah, but exhibits a wee bit more interest in creating it. He loves to learn new things about the gospel and has a gratitude journal that he keeps when he thinks of something new in the gospel that excites him. Recently Matthew heard a talk about sacrifice. After he came home from church he announced to everyone that he was going to sacrifice time on Roller Coaster Tycoon in order to better serve the Lord. It's fascinating to watch him develop. When I recently attended his Childrens Choir Christmas Concert, I was so moved that I began to pray silently. "Father, when your Only Begotten Son returns to us, I want my son to sing for yours." I felt the Lord smile and I thought I heard him say, "Of course he can and so can you."
Joseph resembles me in his huge enthusiasm for life and his eagerness to learn. He is by far the most teachable and coach-able of all my children. He loves sports and is quickly becoming a good little wrestler. He wants to play football too. Anytime I tell Joseph to do something in sports, he immediately processes and performs without protest or complaint. He doesn't take any correction personally. He is eager to please and improve. Because of his fabulous mind set, he learns quickly and doesn't become discouraged. He also doesn't give up when the going gets tough. He persists and I love that about him. I have no doubt that these attributes will take him very far not only in this life but in the eternities to come.
Sammy is still so little, but I see myself in him when he throws his fits. I used to do that too. It's hard to be the youngest of six. You get left out or can't participate in all the same activities as "the brothers". He has a strong will and he wants what he wants and is willing to fight for it. He also exhibits a tender loving side to his mother along with all the wonderful characteristics of typical five year old boys. He understands a surprising amount of information that you don't suspect he does and his verbal skills are growing every day. All I know is that if I threw fits when I was little and came out good enough to win my wife and have all these great kids, then Samuel will turn out even better. I love being his Dad.
I love all my children. They are just tremendous blessings for me and I really believe that they were sent to me for a reason and that they are meant to be our children. What a privilege to have them with us!
