King's Daughter's Kitchen

When I am young, I am told that I will grow up, get married, and have babies. I am also told that I will never be good or smart enough to go to college. I should accept it. Later, when I earn a scholarship for good grades, and I find out that I am eligible for a work study program, I am shocked.

I think about nursing first, but I decide against it because of the physical challenges. Nurses work their tails off, and I admire them for it. I don’t have the strength, and I have discalculea. The thought that I might make a number mistake that leads to a death terrifies me… no way.

I talk to an advisor who notices my caring nature. We discuss languages, and I enroll to become a Spanish teacher. I pass the first year with all A’s.

Then, I think I might be like my dad and learn lots of languages. The army won’t take me because of my cerebral palsy, but I still want to see the world and help the people. I have family members in all branches of the military, so I think, “Be like Dad, learn languages. Go places.” To do that, I need to understand how my language works first. As part of my studies, I  take many writing classes.

I don’t know when it happens, but I become obsessed with grammar in all languages, the positions and exact meanings and parts of words. This is especially true in English, Spanish (romance languages), Greek, Hebrew, Latin, and currently, in American Sign Language (which I am just starting at my age🙄). Did I ever think so long ago that this would be my calling? No. I had no idea.

I am thrilled that God gave me the abilities and gifts to connect, remember, and share it all. I did grow up, get married, and have babies. My son and his wife and their four sons speak more than one language. We love languages and people.