MacKenzie

MacKenzie, soon to be 17, has a boyfriend. That’s all I’ll say about that. I get in trouble whenever I tease MacKenzie that all she and Reed ever do is sit on the couch, hold hands, watch movies and giggle. I hate it when a parent embarrasses a child, so I won’t mention any details, other than the fact that all they do is sit on the couch, watch movies and giggle. You’ll have to ask MacKenzie yourself about her love life.

MacKenzie is now a cheerleader. Some cheer positions opened up mid-season because former squad members used drugs or displayed bad attitudes or both. Squad teacher leaders decided to go away from the typical popular-girl-cheerleader model and looked instead for replacements among the well-behaved-brainy-nerd set. MacKenzie and her best friend, Katie, went to open tryouts, and both made it. With her strength and length, MacKenzie is one of the lifters—the sure foundation on which the triangle of humanity is built. She serves the same role in our family.

Cheerleading makes MacKenzie’s participation in the band difficult, but she manages to squeeze in both activities. She plays the flute. Despite high hopes, the marching band did not do well in the state tournament this year. Only her senior year remains, and MacKenzie and her friends are already nervous.

MacKenzie is actively looking for a college. She’s pretty sure she will study Occupational Therapy. Right now she’s leaning toward the University of Indianapolis. I’m nudging her toward IU. She’ll make the right choice. She’s currently just on the outside of the top 10 percent in her class. She’s been climbing throughout her high school career, and another good semester should realize her goal.

MacKenzie is the family photographer. While going through her pictures for this letter, I was reminded that all the girls went to California in July. They visited their Aunt Jill and her family. One of the highlights was zip lining: climbing a huge redwood tree, putting on a harness, and sliding from one tree to another.

Speaking of relatives, the girls’ Aunt Christie in Michigan (Suzann’s cousin) is currently battling breast cancer. We wish her well.

MacKenzie is also the family chauffeur, having obtained her license this summer.

Photo caption: MacKenzie has been all aglow since she met Reed.