T I S H I E

Tisha is my second daughter. After my first child birth experience, I almost didn’t have any more kids. But I was sure I was meant to have a son so I read up on epidurals and got brave enough for the challenge.

Well, the delivery stats improved from 14 hours (with Shalyse) to 4 hours (for Tisha). And there she was, my little Eskimo baby. She was so dark, her black hair, her red skin, her shiny eyes, her long eyelashes, her chubby cheeks, and her little green tattoo mark above her bum-cheeks. Tisha was constantly sick with colds and ear infections so she didn’t talk very well until close to school age. But she had great, expressive eyes and a wonderful smile – and she had no problem communicating what needed to be known.

Tisha and Shalyse were complete opposites. Where Shalyse wore dresses and barrettes--Tisha wore hoodies and baseball caps. Where Shalyse was pink, red, and yellow--Tisha was blue, burgundy, and khaki. Where Shalyse loved to perform--Tisha was smiling in the audience and proudly watching. Where Shalyse loved dolls--Tisha preferred Ninja Turtles. When Shalyse constantly danced and recited poetry--Tisha played basketball and scratched on her vinyl record albums. When Shalyse shopped in malls--Tisha was shooting deer in the mountains. Shalyse’s first vehicle was a Ford Escort--Tisha’s was a Jeep Cherokee.

This past week Tayshaun and I have been watching videos of the girls growing up. Yes having me as a mother, Tisha HAD to experience ruffly socks, plenty of dresses, earrings/jewelry, and hairspray. Tayshaun just cannot fathom who that pigtailed skinny little girl in the fluorescent jumper is. When Tish turned five, she pretty much told me it was time to shop at the Gap for khakis, jeans, and baseball caps. This is when I realized that she had her own thoughts, likes, dislikes, and preferences – and they were different than my own.

When Tishie turned two, she was no longer the baby (even though she really was). We hurried and potty-trained her and took away her bottle in preparation for the newest arrival, Madison. In the videos, it was obvious that Tisha loved her new sister. She was so playful with her and was always talking to her (well it sounded more like jibberish). She never really seemed jealous of Madison – except maybe during videotaping. Poor thing……in a majority of the footage, someone’s always saying to Tisha in the background, “SHHHH – we’re filming the baby” or “Tishie get out of the picture”. In several of the shots, she’s putting her face or waving her hand in front of the video camera like saying, “remember me too, hey point the camera on me!”. And then there’s my favorite footage where I’m asking Madison questions and in the background you can hear Tisha’s laughter as she’s stuffing her mouth with graham crackers. When suddenly, Tisha gets up and tip-toes behind Madison so as not to disturb the recording ‘cause she’s already been warned that we’re filming Madison. She just quietly prances behind Madison knowing full well that she’s going to be in the film with wet graham crackers dripping down her face. Little goofy!

Of course, there’s lots of Tisha coverage. It just seemed like we were always hushing her up. And all Tisha was trying to do was be Madison’s big sister by answering questions for her; be Madison’s sidekick by helping her be funny in the camera; be Madison’s friend by wanting to be part of the fun. This little baby didn’t get to be (the baby) for very long. “Sorry Tisha that we didn’t realize that when you were two years old.”

Here you go....we let you in the picture with (the baby) now. See.

Now Tisha is becoming an adult. She’s experiencing responsibility, career choices, love, credit card bills, vacations, etc. I asked her what she wanted for her birthday, fully expecting her to respond with “a snowboard”, “goggles”, “a parka”, “some clothes”….but no, she asked for a vacuum. Hehehehehehehe! Nope she’s not a baby anymore.

Tisha is the most quiet, even-tempered, and most consistent of my kids. I never know what she’s thinking. She’s always there for me helping out where she can. She’s a care-giver. A couple of years ago, I called her late in the evening bawling my eyes out after one of my shihtzus got hit by a car. I called her asking her to find an address to a veterinarian hospital. Instead, she was instantly at my house assuring me that Brody was going to be fine, pacifying Tayshaun who was concerned that Brody couldn’t move and that mommie was crying like a baby, soothing poor Brody who was confused and bruised from his accident. She was a rock for me that night. She’s always there helping with the yard, repairing household items, checking out ticks or rattles in my vehicles….all the things I hate dealing with. She was especially a life-saver when I went back to work. Tayshaun was a little over a year old. I’d never had to leave my babies with strangers to go back to work. I was sick about it. So she quit her job and nannied Tayshaun and my shihtzus who were also babies at the time. I really appreciate her support for that.

Congratulations, Tishie, you survived Yvette too. "Sorry, you’re stuck with me!"

I LOVE YOU! HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Love your mom