That girl gonna change the world…

With Elle, you don’t just get a recap of the days events. Oh no, this is a shut your laptop, put your book down, turn your phone off, because we are in for a performance. A re-enactment of all the events that have contributed to this monumental day, hair flicks and all. I always look at the clock and prepare my 5 minute timer before expecting E home in order to take in the entirety of it all and not miss a single detail, because that leads to confusion and questions, resulting in annoyance and sigh of disapproval ‘weren’t you listening mum?’  (yes of course I was but the details get thrown at you at such speed! It’s a mind challenge within itself to try and keep up).

I would often recall the tales of when she was little and boldly parading around the halls in school, needing to be challenged on where she was going as she was so confident and sure of her purpose that teachers often let her carry on with the task, believing it to be a true tale. I laughed when the other day, I discovered she still does this to a degree. Claiming her hall pass (of which she is only allowed 12 in the year), she gleefully skipped out of chemistry to pop to the ladies, but oh, what delights can be found along the way? How can we possibly extend this three-minute trip into something much more exciting? Why of course, stumbling across some friends having a class in the library, lip reading to decode a secret mission, feeling exuberant that you managed to work out what the task was. So off you went to find the person and the item of retrieval located somewhere other than your chemistry class, wandering around the school, successfully locating them said item to then stash for safekeeping. On return to your chemistry class, of course it was only natural for the teacher to then challenge why you were gone for more than 15 minutes Eloise? (I was also questioning this during story recap but got told off for interrupting). Her reply, as cool and steady as a cucumber, I was at Matron…. To which came, ‘Do you have a note’? Challenge accepted. Off she skips again to then get a note to prove that she was, in fact, with matron (when actually she wasn’t, but by this point she was determined to say otherwise). Matron, do you mind if I use your loo? And by the way, can I have a note please? Big smile, bigger eyes. Striding back into chemistry, armed with said note, twinkle in the eye, she counted that as a victory (and a glorious story to tell, details have been omitted of course as there were just too many and too jumbled to possibly recollect).

When Elle enters a room, ripples turn into waves as she exerts her presence. She performs, her eyes sparkling, her dimples dimpling. Not a wallflower, but a go-getter. One who stands up for everything she believes in no matter the cost.  She would rather take punishment than stand down. The teacher was so out of line telling me my skirt was too short and I refused to unroll it and I told her we were allowed to wear it this length.. . Leading to a detention. Things could be avoided, simplified, but Elle’s morals are strong and deeply rooted.  Always, always pushing those boundaries ever since she was a tot.

Securing herself not one, but two jobs, she loves keeping busy. If she is at a loss for things to do, she will glide into the room on her rollerskates announcing her departure because there is simply nothing to do and therefore she needs to find a stage elsewhere to perform so, goodbye I am off, to skate around the village. Which then results in tales of how impressed all the passersby were of her skating skills.

Still going strong in cadets; I am amazed she hasn't taken control yet over the platoon but I am sure that's on the cards in her mind. She teaches classes to the lower ranks now and fills us in with how useless they are. Currently working her way through silver Duke of Edinburgh, teaching herself how to play the guitar, and joining the not-so-local volleyball team are just more strings to her bow (and two exhausted parents).

As bold and daring as she is, she is kind and gentle. Putting her friendships as her topmost priority and ensuring that everyone is thought of and catered for. Spending hours making personalised cards and poems for birthdays and painstakingly thinking of every detail towards gifts and events. She is adored by the smaller folk, babies and toddlers lighting up with joy when they see her face. She has all the time in the world for them, scooping them up as she carries on with her tasks, making them laugh, engaging with them, and leaving a void when she has to go.

Everything and everyone that Ella touches is moved by her in some way. The majority is a positive, though there are the minority who don’t warm to her defiance and boldness, which causes a rift. I tell her these are the people to let go of, and those that see who she really is won’t ever want to leave her circle. To be with Elle is to be with joy, happiness, cheekiness, and life. I know her life is going to be rich with memories and adventures. Fifteen years of keeping us on our toes. xx