Sophia!

I was privileged to give birth to "Sophi" (as she prefers to be known) more than twelve years ago- thirteen next January. Her name means “wisdom”, and her high level of insight, understanding and self-awareness indicates to me that she's living up to it. I feel that I can talk to her about anything and have her catch my drift. She's faced major transitions with incredible grace and adaptability, and is adept at modulating her emotions. In fact, I can't think of a time when I've seen her lose her temper with any of her many brothers and sisters. A peace lover and peacemaker, she tries to treat them with kindness and compassion, and on several occasions has designed imaginative games and activities such as treasure hunts for the younger children. She once designed and drew a personalized coloring and activity book especially for Gloria. She is drawn to good and meaningful things. She told me recently that God's Not Dead is her “new favorite movie”- revealing her endearing propensity for that which is noble and virtuous.  Here she is returning from a summer Pioneer Trek experience. I think she looks lovely- even when dirty and disheveled.  As kind as she is, one day she'll forgive me for posting this picture.
 

 Super intelligent as are all my children, she reads voraciously- attracted to the dramatic and fantastic, and has written some impressive works of short fiction of a fantasy bent. Doubly gifted, her rich inner life is matched by a sparkling personality with an adorable sense of humor. Her unexpected quips during family gatherings have made us all laugh.

Full blossoming with talent, she's a wonderful actress and singer, and writes songs and lyrics that bowl me over with their musicality as well as their depth of expression. She is EXCELLENT with pitch and harmonizing. She keeps a binder of her favorite song lyrics handy, for opportune “belting-it-out” times. I love it when she and Vilate sing together. She does beautiful, intricate colored pencil drawings and has quite an eye for photography as well. In fact, she has become a bit too adroit at “selfies” and Instagram. Ahem...

To my beautiful, smart, caring, compassionate, talented, creative, lovely, witty, exemplary girl: You will ALWAYS have my heart. Love you forever!