Tuesday 25 October 2011

The Ninth Family Birthday of the Year

Marnie is our eldest grandchild and today is her eighteenth birthday. She passed her driving test a few days ago – possibly the best present she could receive. Now she can – and does – drive herself and her younger sister to College in Weymouth.
Marnie has decided on Midwifery as her chosen career – I can’t think of anyone better qualified to attend a woman in labour. She is calm, practical, aware, unflappable – a great person to have around in a crisis. She has a strong, earthy sense of humour and is frequently reduced to fits of laughter but is also sensitive and empathetic.

As the ‘oldest cousin’ of six in our family(so far) she has presence and authority but, still young, occasionally clashes with her younger siblings, who are treading close on her heels. We have watched her grow from a small, strong-minded baby to an active toddler, a sometimes trying schoolgirl and now a blossoming adult, confident and fun to be with. It is difficult to spend time with her and not be drawn into her world. She is very lively in the mornings, like her mother (Gillian) and grandfather(Barry) is enthusiastic  and irrepressible(ditto)  but sometimes overreaches herself and falls prey to exhaustion (ditto)
Marnie is a natural athlete, performing well in all fields but sadly constrained by osteochondritis or osteochondrosis of the shoulder which frustrates her. She had an operation to remove a non-malignant bone tumour a few years ago but faces another because further bone growth has occurred, causing her pain and frequent dislocation. This condition has limited her ability to participate in the activities she loves – water sports, gymnastics, dance. Most of the time Marnie copes well with this condition but when she’s over-tired the pain it causes can get the better of her. She dreads the thought of another long operation but knows it is inevitable.
Eighteen, with a loving family and good friends, in love (as 18-year-olds often are) full of plans for the future, Marnie is happy, effervescent, irrepressible. Gillian and Paul should be very proud of their elder daughter and oldest child, though she is a young adultJ, no longer quite a child (though all parents understand that children are always children, no matter their age) - they have done a good job and continue to do so.

Happy Birthday, Marnie – we love youJ

21 comments:

  1. Such a lovely description, an all round description, of your granddaughter, Janice. You too must be very proud.

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  2. Happy birthday to Marnie! She's a beautiful girl with big plans. No wonder you're so proud!

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  3. Happy birthday to Marnie and congratulations to all of you on producing such a masterpiece!

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  4. Such a shame that a bright, delightful, young woman with clear goals and an open heart should have to be suffering physical drawbacks at such an exciting age.
    She sounds wonderful, Janice, and I know you're all very proud of her.

    Kay, Alberta, Canada
    An Unfittie’s Guide to Adventurous Travel

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  5. It takes a whole family to raise a child - or a village - and lots of love.

    Congratulations and best wishes to you all

    Isabel x

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  6. Marnie is a beautiful girl with a fantastic smile. Midwifery is a profession to be proud of. I'm sorry she has trouble with her bones and has pain. I hope this will be her last operation.

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  7. What gorgeous photo's, and a very lovely girl
    Happy Birthday to Marnie!
    I hope she has a wonderful day :o)

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  8. Happy 18th Birthday to Marnie. What a lovely career to choose :)xx

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  9. Marnie is a beautiful young lady with what looks like a very contagious smile. I love the dress she is wearing.

    Happy Birthday Marnie!

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  10. Thank you all:-)

    Marnie had a lovely day - a romantic meal for two and then a family meal in the evening.

    Kiri made her a birthday cake and she and Callum will have decorated the house with banners and balloons.

    We had a pre-birthday celebration with all the cousins at our house on Monday evening.

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  11. You are blessed with a beautiful granddaughter. Marnie sounds like a bright, successful young lady. I know how proud you must feel.

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  12. Ahh, to be 18 again!

    HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

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  13. Hi Janice .. she gives the air of jubilant freshness - ready for that zest of life ..so pleased you shared with us - lovely to see thank you - Hilary

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  14. This is such a wonderful post! Marnie is such a nice looking girl! I sure can tell you are proud of her. :)

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  15. What a beautiful young lady she is...and your words captured her personality wonderfully. Grandchildren are a blessing indeed.

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  16. She's gorgeous! Happy birthday, Marnie!

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  17. Thank you all so much for your lovely comments:-)

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  18. I don't know what happened that I missed so many of your posts ! You can be proud of your granddaughter ! she is also a pretty girl !

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  19. A little late but Happy Birthday Marnie, she sounds like a lovely girl and I wish her all the happiness in the world.

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  20. Oh my! What a beautiful young woman! Time flies, doesn't it? I can see why you're a proud grandma.

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