Backbone

Mary attended a birthday party at Build-A-Bear today.  Four little girls got to pick out any animal they wanted to stuff, name and dress.  What could be more fun.  The birthday girl chose a purple bear with multi-colored peace symbols all over it.  Two little guests followed her lead and chose the same bear.  But not Mary.  She knew from the moment that she entered that store that she wanted the bunny.  The beautiful brown bunny on the right side and that's exactly what she got.  Her decision may seem insignificant, but that choice made me feel really good inside.  I love that even at age 5, Mary doesn't follow the crowd but makes up her own mind.  I can't even count the number of times my parents asked me if I had a backbone while I was growing up.  They wanted each of us to be able to stand alone if needed, to stand up for what we believed, to make up our own mind, and to stick with our decisions.  I haven't had to ask my kids much yet if they have a backbone, but I can see one is already forming.  And not just in Mary, but in Jacob, Charlotte, and Laurel too.  Maybe it's in their blood.  David has never been one to follow the crowd either.  I like an independent thinker.  So this little choice by my littlest child today made my day.