It's approaching St. Patrick's Day and so this seems a good time to point out the red highlights in my little blond leprechaun's hair. I don't mean to perpetuate a stereotype, but there is a certain level of "spice" that comes with this one that the others did not have. A shortness of temper. A propensity for drama. A "Don't cross me or I'll cut you" approach to things not happening when she deems them appropriately due. It reminds me of a card I received the other day which read:
"I haven't lost my temper. I know exactly where it is. And if you're still in reach in thirty seconds, you'll see it for yourself."
But here's the thing. She gets mad about things that I have very little control over. For example, the fact that water is wet and therefore gets her wet makes her mad. The fact that her outgrown shoes exist but no longer fit her feet is clearly my doing and therefore my fault. The fact that gravity prevents her from flying...Yup again. My fault. The fact that onesies have three snaps and her patience snaps after one....You get the picture.
I'm told this will serve her well in the future. I'm told that it's toddlerhood. I'm told that it has nothing to do with those roseate strands in her otherwise downy blond fluff. Not convinced.
This child's temper is amazing to watch. So here's the good and the bad....at eighteen months she shows us clearly that she knows we have different thoughts than she does. Her theory of mind is fabulous. She will cry and cover her eyes, but should we leave the room, she stops crying comes to find us and begins crying again. This can go on for five rooms and at least as many minutes. It's funny...except when it's not.
She knows a few functional signs. She uses them to say things like "cheese", "more", "no" and "hurt". She uses them most often when she is following us room to room covering her eyes and crying, and then stating "Mama" and signing "hurt". (To be interpreted as "I asked for cheese and Mama said no. It hurt me deeply. I may not recover easily. Do you see these tears? I'm hurt by Mama. Mama was the one... Mama I tell you.") It's very convincing when coupled with her gigantic crocodile tears and piteous and dramatic flopping.
But, I can't completely blame the erubescent strands. She comes by it naturally by some degree..It is Mama's fault. You see, before my pale blond (read Gray) strands came in, I had some pretty flashy claret highlights myself. They tend to employ themselves when someone behaves badly. And heaven help you if you hurt someone I care about. They also come about when something is incredibly tedious, noxious, annoying, repugnant, or just happens on a random Thursday.
For example, I have had visceral hate for stoplights that last too long. I'm speaking to you traffic light at Home Depot. I have had to reign myself in when a driver changes lanes while I'm still using it. Yup, you know who you are black Audi from CT. I have had words with the weather. February 21, 2015, I'm still holding a grudge for the drive home. And raspberry seltzer that is more on my sleeve and eyebrows than in my glass...Well, you'll get yours.
So I pity the fool who sees my daughter and thinks "Cute little blonde". She comes from a long line of quick tempers regardless of hair color. Genetic heritage that sets her up for expecting the most from others and herself. Hair trigger tempers and life-long loyalties. Powerful combinations.
Those little glowing streaks in her otherwise golden locks? It's the rattle on a rattlesnake. Fair warning. Time to check yourself. Advance notice of what you're about to be up against.
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
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