to isabel's mom: what were some of Isabel's favorite things to as a kid?
First and foremost, Isabel loved to read. No matter where she might disappear to when I tried to find her, she always turned up somewhere with a book in her hands. I can’t complain about that, of course. Most parents dream of their children getting into trouble and wandering off because they were reading rather than something much more raucous.
But while she wasn’t the child who tried a bunch of different hobbies only to drop each one after a few days, she did pick up several endeavors. One of her favorite activities was learning to play the piano. She continued her lessons all the way through high school, and I am fairly confident she can still play well. Despite the looks she gave me when I informed everyone of her lessons and got her to play something at the holidays, her lack of complaining and the enthusiasm of her playing made it pretty clear she truly liked to play pieces (though perhaps it was more fun when her mother wasn’t making her do so).
Aside from that, she really liked putting on little plays. Most of these comprised of her dancing around and telling stories as we sat outside on nice days. However, on occasion she’d write lines - she always enjoyed organization - and do a damn good job of smiling her way into getting everyone around to join in her productions.