My daughter is a “note passer” in school.? I’m convinced.? It is an intrinsic part of her personality, and has been for many years.? When she wants to communicate something when I’m not around, she leaves random little slips of paper with equally random thoughts written on them.? At the ripe old age of 14, she writes much like she talks — with many interruptions — and restarts — and pauses — and interjections.? And it typically takes her 23 minutes to complete a sentence.

When she was younger, she would write notes whenever I got a phone call.? I taught her early not to speak to me until the call was over, which led her not to what I assumed would be the obvious conclusion — wait two minutes til I’m done — but to a note writing flurry.? Mom Said Don’t Talk; Therefore I Must Write.? There would be lovely little post-its filled with Critically Important Questions like “Can I haf sume jooce MOM” and my favorite, “when your off the fone can I ask you a question.”

She inevitably spend as much time writing the note as she would have simply being patient, but I suspect that was part of the plan.? She would then tap me incessantly and whisper “MOOOOMMMM” loudly and point to the note til I finally gave up and just asked her what she wanted.? As she got older, she had the responsibility of getting ready for school after I left for work.? The notes became gems like “Dear Mom, I forgot to tell you I need a piece of poster board for school today.”

Today she left me this note: “Amazing idea the radio had: Rent-A-Teen for all those incompetant of anything technological”

Now, this is in part just a note.? A random thought that she must pass on before it leaves her brain.? But part of me thinks she also believes this to be a brilliant entrepreneurial opportunity.? She is a teen; she’d be perfect for the job!? What a niche!!? Nevermind that “incompetant” people rarely enjoy being referred to as such.? (The “mom” part of me is going to put this in the secret shoe box with the others and save them for a special occasion.? I pretty much have “first date” covered; I’m going for prom now.)

But as I sit here looking at the note, I realize how different our personalities are.?? I was an avid “note-taker”.? Which explains why I am driven, disciplined, and make lists religiously.

She hates lists.

I surround myself with them.

She is social, and messy, and fun, and random.

I am organized, and structured, and–and… omigod, I’m– I’m boring!!! She is ready to take the world by storm, and I am taking notes.

I’ll refrain from writing a “moral of the story”.? That would be too predictable.? Instead I’ll just leave you a post-it note.