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First off, were thrilled that Bee has been accepted to Choate. While Im an Exonian myself, my wife, Bernadette, always said her happiest days were spent at Choate, and Bee has wanted to attend ever since she was a little . Secondly, thank you for the kind words about Bee. We agree, shes extraordinary. However, we are strenuously opposed to her skipping a grade. I have just looked over her application, and I realize there is no way you would know the essential fact about Bee: she was born with a heart defect, which required a halfdozen surgeries. As a result, she spent her first five years on and off at Seattle rens Hospital.

Bee entered kindergarten on schedule, even though her little body was having difficulty keeping up. (She was in the zero percentile for height and weight during this time; she is still struggling to catch up, as you saw for yourself.) Yet her profound intelligence was already making itself known. Teachers encouraged us to get Bee tested. Really, though, Bernadette and I had no interest in the gifted industry. Perhaps because we both went to prep school and Ivy League universities ourselves, we did not fetishize them like other Seattle parents. Our primary concern was that our daughter know a modicum of normalcy after the sickening circumstances of her first five years. It was a decision that has richly benefited Bee. We found a wonderful neighborhood school, Galer Street.

Sure, Bee was ahead of the other s in her class. In response, she took it upon herself to teach the slower s to read and write. To this day, Bee stays after school and helps in homework lab. She didnt mention that on her application, either. Choate has marvelous facilities. Im certain Bee will find more than enough to keep her from growing bored. While were on the subject, please indulge me while I tell you the story of the first and last time Bee ever claimed she was bored. Bernadette and I were driving Bee and a friend, both preschoolers, to a birthday party. There was traffic. Grace said, Im bored. Yeah, Bee mimicked, Im bored. Bernadette pulled the car over, took off her seat belt, and turned around. Thats right, she told the s.

Youre bored. And Im going to let you in on a little secret about life. You think its boring now Well, it only gets more boring. The sooner you learn its on you to make life interesting, the better off youll be. OK, Bee said quietly. Grace burst into tears and never had a playdate with us again. It was the first and last time Bee ever said she was bored. We look forward to meeting you in the fall, when Bee arrives with her fellow third formers. Sincerely, Elgin Branch * I am not sick I was born with hypoplastic left heart syndrome, OK Its a congenital condition where the mitral valve, left ventricle, aortic valve, and aorta dont develop completely and which required me to have three openheart surgeries plus three more because of complications. The last surgery was when I was five.

I know Im supposed to be so smart, but guess what I dont remember any of it And doubleguess what Im totally fine now, and have been for nine and a half years. Just take a timeout and ponder that. For twothirds of my life Ive been totally normal. Mom and Dad bring me back to rens every year for an echocardiogram and X rays that even the cardiologist rolls her eyes at because I dont need them. Walking through the halls, Mom is always, like, having a Vietnam flashback. Well pass some random piece of art hanging on the wall and shell grab onto a chair and say, Oh, God, that Milton Avery poster. Or, gulping a big breath,

That ficus tree had origami cranes hanging on it that awful Christmas. And then shell close her eyes while everyone just stands there, and Dad hugs her really tight, tears flooding his eyes, too. All the doctors and nurses come out of their offices hailing me like the conquering hero, and the whole time Im thinking, Why They show me pictures of when I was a baby tucked into the hospital bed wearing a little cap, like Im supposed to remember it. I dont even know what the point of any of it is besides Im totally fine now.

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Never receive these again by telling us as soon as possible
Gracie Nieland - 2110 Windsor Ave Montgomery Al 36107-1624

You can no longer get these when you simply inform us on this page
1214 Andrews Ave, Fort Lauderdale FL, 33313