The Virtuoso - Toot Sweet 4 Two

The Virtuoso in the photo above is an enigma. Multi-talented and multi-faceted, she’s a star soccer player at her high school. It’s not unusual that she saves the day. In fact, she just did it again the other day, scoring a 15-yard field goal for her team resulting in a tie game.

This is my niece, Bizzy. Given name Elizabeth. When she was born, her older brother, Ryan, couldn’t pronounce “Elizabeth”. He called her “Bizbeth”, which morphed to Bizzy and the name stuck.

Actually, it’s okay that it “stuck”. It suits her.

At one time, when she was quite a bit younger, I attempted to “upgrade” the name “Bizzy” to “Queenie”. I told her she was a Queen, like Queen Elizabeth, and I would call her “Queenie” for short. She hated it, at first. She tolerates it now.

Because, in spite of her many talents, she’s humble and viewing herself as a “queen” or a “star” confuses her. In her mind, she’s just another member of the team. Whether the team is her family, her school, an orchestra or sports.

During my visit, I asked my nieces if they would play something for me. All of them have taken years of music lessons and, with the exception of older sister, Erin, who’s piano recital I was privileged to attend when she was quite young, I’d never heard them play. It was a busy evening (no pun intended) and the others were doing various things, getting ready for a party the next night. Bizzy was the only one that said she would.

Digging through her closet, she found her viola, dusted off its case and brought it downstairs. As she opened the case and took out her instrument, she casually said “I haven’t played in 3 years.” After a few rough starts, she found her “groove” and music filled the room.

With a sweetness and grace, unexpected from this “busy” Bizzy, she became one with the music. Delight, joy and pleasure swept in movements across her face as she realized her ability to create such loveliness. Even after not touching her instrument for 3 years.

The wonder of it all…

When it was all over, her younger sister, Molly, gave it a whirl…

Bizzy is at a crossroads. She’s a junior in high school with an older sister and brother already in college. Uncertain of what she wants to do, where she wants to go, confused by the choices before her, she thinks she has to decide what she wants to be. And, I guess in order to pick a major in college or even decide which college to attend, then yes, she has to decide.

But, here’s what I want to tell each and every one of my nieces and nephews – during your lifetime, you will make yourself over many, many times. More than likely, you will change careers. And, that’s okay. Because another word for “change” is “growth” and as you travel this journey called life, growth is what you should strive for. All the rest will fall into place.

I’ll leave you with a quote from actor, Matthew McConaughey…

“Life is a series of commas, not periods.” – Matthew McConaughey

I’ve made you a “poster” in PicMonkey. Print this out and frame it or save it to Pinterest! Here’s link to a printable version: Life Quote.

My hope for all my Gen Z nieces and nephews is that their lives will unfold with as much joy and passion as Bizzy’s face reflects in the photos in this post. Each of you has an abundance of talent in your DNA. Adventures await and love is around the corner when you least expect it.

You will have many “detours” on this journey called life, but viewed as a “detour” rather than a “roadblock,” with patience, perseverance and persistence, you will look back on those detours as learning experiences and opportunities for growth.

These are the “wonder years”, my beautiful nieces and handsome nephew. The world is your oyster. Go forth and conquer.

Tootles,

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