By KAY SEDGMER

Times Leader Lifestyles Editor

I LEARNED something last week that nearly took my breath away.

My youngest niece will be starting driver’s education classes soon.

I could hardly believe it. My little Katie Girl is just days away from being old enough to drive! How did this happen?

I’ve watched her grow from an adorable little toddler who brought so much joy and happiness to our family to a young woman who is beautiful, intelligent and caring and still providing our family joy and happiness.

She was no bigger than a minute when she was born and was the prettiest little thing. Today, she is as tall as me, having passed her mother up in the height department years ago. Katie is very active in her school, community and church. She always thinks of others first and, amazingly, manages her hectic schedule with very little conflict. She is a leader but remains very aware of others no matter the circumstance.

Katie has always been very straight forward, but in a good way. She has spunk!

When my parents were critically injured in an automobile accident, Katie was just a toddler. She refused to let this situation get them down. It was this little slip of a girl who took my father by the hand and led him for walks on the hilltop to care for his animals. She just refused to let him be defeated by the blindness that was the result of the crash.

Because Katie’s mom worked full time, my parents were her caregivers during the day. Since she wasn’t a difficult child to babysit she continued to stay with them as they healed. Our Little Miss Sunshine had my mother back on her feet in no time following the crash, providing her grandparents with just what the doctor ordered: encouragement and a positive attitude.

My niece has always been an adult in a young girl’s body. She is wise beyond her years and, even though I’ve found that to be just “slightly” annoying at times, I always take note of what she has to say.

For instance. She was about 6 or 7 years old when my mom, Katie’s mom and the two of us packed our bags and headed out for a weekend getaway.

We were staying in a cabin and I had planned to grill steaks that evening. But, when I attempted to light the grill, it was out of propane. I immediately got on the phone and called the people we were renting from and requested they bring us a propane tank.

In the meantime, we jumped in the car and took a cruise around the area … just doing a little sightseeing.

As we journeyed along the roadway, I noticed an advertisement for a chain restaurant that read “Our grill is always on!”.

I said, “Well. I’ll just go grab our steaks and cook ’em there!”

Katie, who naturally always wants to do the right thing, immediately looked at me and said, “Aunt Kay! You just can’t go walking in there acting like you own the place. You better call first!”

Even though I didn’t intend to just walk in there and act like I owned the place, she knew that I did need to ask first and reminded me of my manners!

And, it is that wisdom and spunk which will carry her far in life … much further than the places her driver’s license will take her.

Sedgmer may be reached at ksedgmer@timesleaderonline.com.