ANELISE WALKER
Anelise took her time breaking into the verbal milieu of our family. I thought she would never talk. With a formidable hurdle of a long line of fast talkers, it must have seemed incongruous to think that this fledgling female addition to the garden of household conversation could compete with this consummate, never-ending dialog. She didn’t hold a chance in Hades.
For the first four years of her life, Anelise observed, taking it all in, every word, expression, inflection and nuance. Very much aware, she harnessed the energy of every moment and every word. In silence and stark contrast to her surroundings, she was forming her own individual perception of life and living. She acquiesced to a family fraught with ideas, stories, opinions and all manner of verbal escapades. Anelise watched.
Then one day, out of the blue, Anelise metamorphosed from her camouflage and made her decision. “It’s my turn.” Whoa Nellie! Life has not been the same since. The forward thrust of this enlightened mindset is carving an indelible mark on our family and every person with whom she comes in contact. She either likes you or she doesn’t. Don’t try to manipulate her. She’s on to you. Don’t kid yourself. Everything is black and white. There is no gray in her color palette. She sized it all up during her vow of silence from birth until her categorical decision. Life is either glorious or tragic, depending upon her mood. And if you think that you might have to guess which mood she’s in, guess again. Like clouds that bring a thunderstorm (complete with lightening and thunder) or the sunshine that invites the flowers to bloom, the signs are unmistakable, as is the aftermath.
Anelise took her time breaking into the verbal milieu of our family. I thought she would never talk. With a formidable hurdle of a long line of fast talkers, it must have seemed incongruous to think that this fledgling female addition to the garden of household conversation could compete with this consummate, never-ending dialog. She didn’t hold a chance in Hades.
For the first four years of her life, Anelise observed, taking it all in, every word, expression, inflection and nuance. Very much aware, she harnessed the energy of every moment and every word. In silence and stark contrast to her surroundings, she was forming her own individual perception of life and living. She acquiesced to a family fraught with ideas, stories, opinions and all manner of verbal escapades. Anelise watched.
Then one day, out of the blue, Anelise metamorphosed from her camouflage and made her decision. “It’s my turn.” Whoa Nellie! Life has not been the same since. The forward thrust of this enlightened mindset is carving an indelible mark on our family and every person with whom she comes in contact. She either likes you or she doesn’t. Don’t try to manipulate her. She’s on to you. Don’t kid yourself. Everything is black and white. There is no gray in her color palette. She sized it all up during her vow of silence from birth until her categorical decision. Life is either glorious or tragic, depending upon her mood. And if you think that you might have to guess which mood she’s in, guess again. Like clouds that bring a thunderstorm (complete with lightening and thunder) or the sunshine that invites the flowers to bloom, the signs are unmistakable, as is the aftermath.
