American Girl

So, Alyssa is really into American Girl dolls; a phenomenon which escapes the male mind, even the Daddy mind. But the company that makes these dolls has a contest to identify the "Real Girl of the Year," and in order to enter you have to have an adult sponsor you. Aly asked me. So below is the 499 word essay I wrote explaining why Alyssa Renae Smith is MY American Girl. And if the doll company has a brain in their corporate head, they'll see through my weak prose and recognize this amazing little girl for the treasure she is.

Last week my daughter tried out for an athletic team at our church only to find herself cut in favor of stronger and faster girls. Everyone knew that only a few would make the team, but Alyssa had been talking about it for weeks. She was eager to make the team. Unfortunately, it wasn't to be. At first I was worried, knowing how much it meant to her, but by the time we got home, she had calmed down and moved on to the next challenge of life. Instead of crying for hours, she chose to be happy for
her friends who had made the team. Win or lose, she is the embodiment of grace.

That is one reason why Alyssa Smith is an American Girl. She is intelligent and creative and vivacious. She is also an avid reader. Between art and dance classes she manages to play sports year-round, never quitting in spite of the fact that she is far from being a natural athlete. Whether it is gymnastics or cheerleading or soccer, she
is always active, always social. At eight years old, she hasn't learned yet how to discriminate; she loves everyone. Her passion is for art and for people, and she gives herself completely to whatever she is doing and whoever she is with.

And she cannot help but teach. She seizes every opportunity to lead the cheers for the squad, or teach whoever she's with some new craft she learned. At slumber parties she is the one who initiates and organizes activities. (Her favorite is to make improv plays for the adults to watch.) She just HAS to be in the middle of everything that's going on, not to be the star, but just to have fun with everyone.

Alyssa may one day assume the title as America's craftiest person. Her dedication to arts and crafts is matched only by her giftedness. Two years ago, she rearranged our curtains for us, something unexpected from a six year old, but guests still comment on them today. Likewise the oil painting she gave me this Christmas that hangs proudly in my office. And although not everything she does turns out perfectly (I've thrown away reams of doodles scratched out on whatever paper she can find), she never quits. My wife and I sometimes wonder if she will replace Martha Stewart on television one day!

One of the things I appreciate about Alydoodle, as a father, is that she is careful not to set other-worldly expectations. That is, she's good about setting "girl-sized" goals. Her focus is always on the present, on THIS game, THIS project, THIS effort. Her goals do not extend beyond the current season. She doesn't worry about things beyond her ability to control. Always she is concerned about the challenge of today. Rising to the occasion, rather than suffering anxiety over it.

I don't know who the "Real Girl of the Year" will be, but Alyssa Renae Smith deserves serious consideration. She is amazing.