Relationships: Where Eagles Dare to Fly, Few Go...

Kenzie: You will find in life that when you're an eagle...the rewards are fantastic...the self-actualization is incomparable...and very often it's a lonely journey. Not forever, mind you -- just until you find a "space" in your life where there are others (even one or two?) who are like you. Who are also "eagles". Eagles don't flock. They fly alone in a universe where almost every other species' survival, much less entertainment, depends upon staying with "the group". You're an eagle, and that was apparent from the time you could talk.

Every single one of your teachers at St.John's told Dad and I what a leader you were -- how "special" an individual you were. We didn't ask -- they volunteered this information at parent-teachers' conferences over the years. The analysis of your abilities began at the "new school" -- the YMCA pre-school. It never stopped at St. John's. All of them were describing an eagle--a leader. That's what you are.

Think of it this way: right now in terms of your sporting career, you join teams where most, if not all, of the other girls are gold fish in the tank. They have bright colors, muted colors, some are beautiful, others are not. But they have one immutable trait in common: they're all gold fish in this tank.

One day another fish joins the tank. This fish is not a goldfish. This fish is a barracuda. Sleek, fast and bright as hell, and effective: terribly, terribly effective. And the barracuda likes the goldfish! She tries to play with them, joke with them, in effect, be like one of them! but that's impossible: she can never be a goldfish. Ever.

Now the goldfish are puzzled at firs by the presence of the barracuda, and not a little intimidated. They eye her warily, they tolerate her -- after all she is IN the tank, too. But they realize she is NOT a goldfish -- she is NOT one of them, no matter how hard she tries to be. And when the barracuda nudges the goldfish and tries to coach them into being faster, smarter, more effective...well they become annoyed. They know in their fish souls that they are NOT barracudas and will never be. And they don't understand why the barracuda just won't "let them be".

The nature of an eagle, a barracuda, a leader is to lead. By definition, that means pointing the "way" for others. As a leader, you must learn, and you will eventually, that your happiness and self-actualization will depend upon how closely you fulfill your destiny. And your destiny is to be an eagle/barracuda/goldfish.

There are other eagles and leaders out there...trust me. You won't be lonely on your journey forever. Just for a little while now even as you slog through your teen-age years. but the prize on the other side of personal integrity is awesome, and it's different for every individual. It's worth all of the effort, aggravation, pain, tears, fear and disdain.

Here's the key: remember who you are. Remember who you are. Never forget, not even for a moment, who you are. You've been given many gifts by God -- best get to figuring out how to employ them.

Dad and I love you and treasure you and will always be here for you.