Nessie Krim, age 16
Happy birthday, Ines Olivia. Most of you know her as Nessie. And today, she turns 16!
During her first 4 years, Nessie was the middle child, 2 years younger than Lulu and 2 years older than Leo. Born with hip dysplasia in both hips and in a full body cast for 4 of her first 6 months, she was always smiling. She had a face just like the Gerber Baby. But her hair grew into a natural mullet. And she never wore a jacket in the cold. Wanted nothing to do with bugs and nature generally. She was super flexible and could balance on the handlebars of our double stroller. She screamed at naptime and bedtime. An unpredictable, strong-willed, trouble-making jester. Classic middle child.
And then suddenly, after Lulu and Leo died, Nessie became an only child. She was the girl who lived. She filled our too quiet apartment with giggles and joy. It was a very big job. She made us read the same books to her over and over. She started ice skating. She went to Disneyland in her princess PJs. She was your typical Frozen-loving little girl…but not. She adapted.
Then her two brothers, Felix and Linus, came along and she became the oldest. She embraced their arrival and adapted again to life…with wild younger brothers.
10 years later, Nessie has become a talented musician, a graceful and determined ice skater, a California dreamin’ surfer girl, an inspired mathematician, and an inventive cook.
And through these 16 years, Nessie has learned many essential life skills most adults have not mastered. How to adapt to the nightmare that life dropped her in. How to celebrate (really celebrate!) the lives of her adored siblings in the stars. How to cope with the haunting question of what life would be like if her brother and sister were still here. How to live with the impermanence of life. She has learned to see the possibility. That is resilience.
Nessie, we know you are rarely, if ever, excited to hear what we have to say. But listen up! Life is an unpredictable shitshow, punctuated by moments of beauty and light. And we believe that you are totally prepared for it! Be creative, know you will find a way, and we are confident you will.
Happy Sweet 16 to our Nessie, the girl who really lives.
