CHRONICLES OF A LUMPY PERSON: *** MISS CIARA***

Being a Mum is the best gift I have ever received. For those of you only getting to know me recently, I am a Mum to two beautiful young women, whom I lovingly call the favourite eldest daughter (FED) and the favourite youngest daughter ( FYD). Yes they have names, but this way they always get to be my favourite!

Much has been written about the FED. Her story has spread to all parts of the world. But it's been a while ( probably a whole year since she finished school), since I've written about my other gal.

Introducing Miss Ciara, my little bundle of joy. My talented, determined, headstrong, comical, loud bundle of joy. My favourite youngest daughter ( FYD).

This week the FYD reaches a milestone when she graduates from her year long intensive acting course. It's a huge achievement and one that has been completed against a backdrop of the most gut wrenching situations ever. In fact this backdrop has been going on for a while now. Agents, if you're looking for a determined, hardworking girl who soldiers on regardless, she's the one!

Let's back track.

She started high school with her Mum fighting breast cancer and finished high school five years later with her sister fighting for her life. In between the start and end of high school, family drama continued. I had four major surgeries and countless minor ones. Despite her Mum being frequently away ( which is hard for a young girl), she just kept plodding on, excelling in so many areas. Here are some of my favourite memories.

She and her friend Nadene formed a singing duo that became well known in the Midwest, performing at various functions. They even performed as the support act for a band called Dragon, which if you're Australian you will know are music royalty.
She is not only a talented singer/ actor but a talented dancer. I have spent hours driving her to and from lessons, sewing on sequins and sitting through rehearsals. But it was always worth it to see her on stage having a ball!
She was Calamity Jane in the school musical in her last year of high school. This performance left everyone in no doubt that she was ACTUALLY Calamity herself in a previous life.

Thank God for the memories!

This week she graduates from the Actors Hub, Gap course which has taught her to push through barriers and continue to be the best possible actor she can be. There have been some spine tingling performances this year and also ones which have made me laugh out loud and wonder who this super talented woman on stage is.

And then I remember...and pinch the husband's hand to remind him...it's our daughter! There up on stage is the kid who:

Ran away from home ( for half an hour) and lived near her Dads ute. She had a change of underwear and her teddy in a small bag.
Would not do swimming lessons because she didn't like boy teachers.
Would not wear dresses because they were too girly!
Cooked marshmallows in the inside potbelly stove with another naughty friend...cos they could.
Tied the dog leash to a small table and then wondered why the aquarium on top came flying off.
Sent a hotel staff into disarray looking for a lost teddy.
Travelled around Europe at the age of 17

I could go on for ever!

This year has been the hardest, but amidst all the tragedy of a sick sister and the loss of a much loved cousin, she has managed to stay true to herself and push forward. She continues to aim high and ( I know it sounds corny) reach for the stars.

Congratulations sweetheart.

May God bless you always and guide you to whatever is next.

Till next time...xxx ( have a look at the link below!)