Vicki Leibhart

Vicki Leibhart, my friend, my cousin, my music, my song.

Have you ever listened to a song several times, you love the beat and sing and dance along, it's a good song. Then one day you are listening: and the lyrics click; and you are just listening to the words; and the music makes sense; and all of the sudden you know what the song means; the beat reverberates; and it becomes your favorite song. For me, Vic is like that song. I don't really remember not knowing her. I was two nearing three when she came into my life, but I only had the opportunity to be around her once for a week or so ever other year when my Mom and Dad would go to Nebraska to visit my Dad's family. To be honest in the younger years she was my little sister's age and I thought that I couldn't relate because I was mature and could not be bothered with their silly games. ;-) As we got older and actually talked I found we had more in common. I really liked her and we had fun while we were there, but it was like "out of sight out of mind." Then the moment happened the magical moment when everything aligned and my cousin became my friend. She became one of my favorite songs.

Vicki's love for people has been woven through my soul from the beginning of our lives. She is positive and kind and if you give her ANY reason to love you... she WILL; she is not a respecter of persons. We have had this ongoing conversation about the beauty of people and their insecurities. I have been chubby my entire life and she has been very thin. As we have talk about how it feels when people remark about our weight we have discovered that we have had similar experiences; our hearts have been broken by their judgement because being fat or thin is not who we are it is merely an adjective describing our appearance and our appearance does not define our souls, thankfully. I love more and judge less because Vic is in my life.

Vicki Lou's exuberance is something to behold! It is excitement and love of life. I strive to have this unique characteristic. It is unique because she can sit and talk for hours, but when she dances it is with her whole being. She can chill out on the beach, but when it is time for an adventure she is the first to jump up and throw on her chucks. She can snuggle up and watch a movie, but if there is an opportunity for a silly photo op watch out because there will be props and all. ;-) Vic's energy is one of those things that I appreciate about her, but has not rubbed off on me, yet in no way does she make me feel bad if I don't feel like dancing because the excitement is for herself, the exuberance is Vic's, and having a lot of energy is not a requirement to be her friend or be around her. That is the part that I take with me; that the people I am around do NOT  need to be the same as me; that I can be myself and they can be themselves and they can dance or be an appreciator of dance or something different; and, there are enough slots for each of us.

Vic as a mom equals awesome! She is child-like, authoritative, loving, and encouraging all rolled into one,

added with a dose of structure. I love it! She treats her kids like she treats those around her and because of that she has interesting, talented, confident, loving kids. She allows them to discover what they like and don't like. There are many ways to be a good mom, and I have learned though watching my friends and family being a good parent isn't necessarily about a method, and that if you are authentic to yourself and your beliefs that these little people turn out to be pretty amazing individuals.

VIC! This is for you. I love you...I am grateful that we are able to be in one another's lives. I am grateful that I finally understood your song; it is a gregarious, poignant, piece of music. I am grateful that I get to continually hear new nuances of the music and it never gets old.