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Friday, January 16, 2009

Outside The Box

I wish I could gain insight into the workings of Makell's mind. It would solve oh so many problems if I could just grasp how and why she thinks the way she does. She is an 'out of the box' thinker. I'm in the box. WAY in the box. Makell looks at life from a different perspective. Exhibit A:

Who knew that you could lower your music stand to the ground and then sit on the floor to play your violin. Her teacher would have a coronary if she knew. Maybe when Makell grows up she can join an orchestra and convince all of them to sit on the ground as well. She'll ask the audience to stand instead.

Another one of her latest 'out-of-the-box' endeavors is writing backwards. Not the words themselves, but just the letters. Instead of writing each letter the way we are all taught--starting at the top of the letter, she is now doing the opposite. She will start at the bottom of each letter. The end results look the same, but the process is different. I have been watching her write over the last week--she starts at the end of a lowercase 'e' or the bottom of and 'h' or 't' and then forms/writes the letter in a backwards motion.

For a majority of Makell's life, I have looked at what she does and thought, ".....I wonder why?" Why does she write backwards, why does she slather her body with vaseline, why does she put a stool on top of the stove and stand on it, why does she throw everything in her room out the window, why does she cut her pants with scissors at school? Occasionally I'll ask her "why....?" She just shrugs her shoulders and responds, "because I want to."

It can be exasperrating raising an out-of-the-box child. I reprimand her far more than I should, mostly out of sheer frustration. But yet, there are times when I look at this girl and realize that one of the purposes of her life is to teach me to broaden my view from inside my rigid box. Sometimes as I am asking her, "why are you doing that!?", I am also wondering, "well, why not?" She has made me stretch the boundaries of my box. Her free-spirit nature is fascinating. While I wish I could find a way to manage that spirit, at the same time I find such delight in watching Makell be.....Makell. Maybe writing backwards is the forward way of thinking. Maybe sitting on the floor to practice is way better than standing. And maybe, just maybe, having an out-of-the box child is a priceless gift from heaven.

10 comments :

Unknown said...

i love her & always will! i really can't wait to watch her grow up & take over the world & throw out the rules :) hugs to all of you!

Rydgd said...

I teared up on this post. SO sweet! And I concur. We'll have to make sure Kyle and Makell don't hook up...that wouldn't just be 'out of the box' - that'd be out of this world! :)

Kristin said...

I think you hit the nail on the head in your last sentence, although I'm sure that many times it doesn't FEEL like a priceless gift from heaven (and instead feels like more of a curse). She's awesome, and you are, too!

Christy said...

I love out-of-the-box kids. they grow up to be the people who change the world.

Simpson Family said...

Her 'bring it on world' attitude gives me complete confidence in the rising generation! Serious, we are all going to benefit from it.

Anonymous said...

I love the way you describe it- it sounds like a "normal" day at my house :) ! Except we cut holes in shirts instead :) And yes, they are sure blessings from heaven- our gift! May we be able to see life through their eyes each day :)

Anonymous said...

I love Makelle!!! Why is is so easy to to see the good in other parents "out of the Box" kids. I look a my crazy child and just don't even know where to start. I see makelle and see pure Joy! Yet I'm starting to see and learn things from my "crazy" that I would have never known. They are a great blessing! Extra hugs and loves go out to all the crazies!
(My two dearest girlfriends are alittle Crazy too.) Love you girl. You're an amazing Mom!!

Madi said...

Wow, if only I could be that creative!

Tana said...

She will be a leader among the "boxless" I doubt that she thinks you are "in the box". She has the best mother for her certain set of skills.

shari berry bo-berry said...

yes, it is a gift! i have an out-of-the-box thinker too...and he truly is a gift. treasure her ability to THINK and ACT differently -- it also shows her confidence in her abilities and in herself. She will definitely go places with that incredible mind!