Malia's Wrinkles
Growing up as an Air Force brat teaches children to be flexible and sociable, but it also plants a tiny seed in one’s psyche that sprouts every three to four years. I didn’t understand it until I was well into my 20s, but it was there. When it flowers, you feel a great urge to move.
However, sometimes it just feels better to stay in one place as fellow-AFBrat Malia has learned. Although she still enjoys traveling, it is the most wonderful feeling to come back home. With no plans to move in the foreseeable future, Malia doesn’t rule it out because life can take you in new, unexpected directions.
To date, Malia has lived in Texas (twice), spent two years in the Philippines where she learned to walk, lived in California, and spent several years in Virginia. She lived in the metro area of Washington DC from 8th grade through college and it allowed her to meet her best friend and husband, David. They have two children: Sweet Pea is 6 and Boo-Boo is 2.
Her children are a primary reason that Malia is content to remain in one place. As she grew up, she was unable to make long time friendships because by the time she got to know people, she had to leave again. She wants her daughter to have a best friend and feels she has a better chance of this if they stay in one place. Malia is also pleased that her family and in-laws live nearby because her children will have the opportunity to know their grandparents and aunts and others in the extended family.
Malia believes her wrinkles are from laughter and joy. She hasn’t suffered a lot like other people in her lifetime, but is concerned because although it can be gentle for the young, the unstoppable march of time can also be harsh. Malia still has a long way to go. Living through a miscarriage was the only really difficult period she experienced, but she felt it made her stronger.
Malia very much wants her children raised so that they respect others and themselves. She is proud that her daughter thinks independently and doesn’t’ always follow the herd mentality. Sweet Pea picks her own clothes to wear to school and Malia stands by her daughter’s fashion decisions as long as her clothes are modest and season appropriate. She recently finished reading the old-fashioned but popular Little House series to her children, and is happy that Sweet Pea likes to pretend that she is Laura Ingalls Wilder. Malia prefers her as a role model rather than the Bratz dolls or Hilary Duff or Hannah Montana.
By the same token, Malia realizes that children do mimic what they hear. One day she took a box of Ritz crackers out of the pantry, saw that it was empty, and said “Oh man!” Boo-Boo picked that right up and repeats “Oh man!” when Malia goes to the pantry. Malia said Boo-Boo keeps them all laughing.
Once Malia worried about where Sweet Pea heard the word “Crap.” When she heard the commode, Malia asked her daughter why it was flushed. Her daughter said, “Put crap in toilet.” Malia raised her eyebrows and again asked, “Why?” Sweet Pea said, “Got crab, put in toilet, and flushed.” It was her bath toy, not what Malia had thought.
The toy is long gone. The Ritz crackers are long gone. The urge to move is also gone. But Malia is here for the long haul and she intends to keep earning her wrinkles through laughter and good times.
To date, Malia has lived in Texas (twice), spent two years in the Philippines where she learned to walk, lived in California, and spent several years in Virginia. She lived in the metro area of Washington DC from 8th grade through college and it allowed her to meet her best friend and husband, David. They have two children: Sweet Pea is 6 and Boo-Boo is 2.
Her children are a primary reason that Malia is content to remain in one place. As she grew up, she was unable to make long time friendships because by the time she got to know people, she had to leave again. She wants her daughter to have a best friend and feels she has a better chance of this if they stay in one place. Malia is also pleased that her family and in-laws live nearby because her children will have the opportunity to know their grandparents and aunts and others in the extended family.
Malia believes her wrinkles are from laughter and joy. She hasn’t suffered a lot like other people in her lifetime, but is concerned because although it can be gentle for the young, the unstoppable march of time can also be harsh. Malia still has a long way to go. Living through a miscarriage was the only really difficult period she experienced, but she felt it made her stronger.
Malia very much wants her children raised so that they respect others and themselves. She is proud that her daughter thinks independently and doesn’t’ always follow the herd mentality. Sweet Pea picks her own clothes to wear to school and Malia stands by her daughter’s fashion decisions as long as her clothes are modest and season appropriate. She recently finished reading the old-fashioned but popular Little House series to her children, and is happy that Sweet Pea likes to pretend that she is Laura Ingalls Wilder. Malia prefers her as a role model rather than the Bratz dolls or Hilary Duff or Hannah Montana.
By the same token, Malia realizes that children do mimic what they hear. One day she took a box of Ritz crackers out of the pantry, saw that it was empty, and said “Oh man!” Boo-Boo picked that right up and repeats “Oh man!” when Malia goes to the pantry. Malia said Boo-Boo keeps them all laughing.
Once Malia worried about where Sweet Pea heard the word “Crap.” When she heard the commode, Malia asked her daughter why it was flushed. Her daughter said, “Put crap in toilet.” Malia raised her eyebrows and again asked, “Why?” Sweet Pea said, “Got crab, put in toilet, and flushed.” It was her bath toy, not what Malia had thought.
The toy is long gone. The Ritz crackers are long gone. The urge to move is also gone. But Malia is here for the long haul and she intends to keep earning her wrinkles through laughter and good times.
posted by Kathy T. at 11:31 AM
5 Comments:
Another good one.
Just wanted to say that I'm really enjoying your wrinkle series. You're doing a wonderful job.
Thanks Kathy! No mistakes to point out ;-)
I'm trying to find wrinkles on Malia and I don't see nary a one.
I'm with Sista on this..I've seen Malia up close and personal, and she appears wrinkle-less to me. another good story in your series, however.
the only problem i see with Malia is that continues to leave me out of her weekly Thursday thankful list po:
All of these wrinkles are so good I'm getting kind of jealous - unfortunately I'm not that wrinkly yet, just early grey / white and lines in the forehead when I'm confused or contemplating. Does that count?
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