For all of you for all of I.

Will you stand with me?
Stand on sand aside of me
as we see stood by the sea
the dream of what will be.

The crashing waves come in between
the soles, the souls and then the dream,
and all will be as this will seem;
A moment where we’ve been.

We share the water in our hands,
a sip, a sup upon the strand
and watch the tide displace the sand
from the rock on which we stand.

Hand in hand and eye in eye,
a hold, a hold before the sky
we’ll swap a clasp by oceans sigh;
For all of you for all of I.
- Declan McHenry Dreams & Tidings

Happy Valentine's Day

Boxed In.

Let it be known that for the millionth and one time in my life,

a lesson came at me, unexpectedly, from my children....

when something new appears in your living room, or in your life...

dig into it.

climb into it.
embrace it.

explore it - with every sense of your body.

don't be afraid of the unknown.
there may be a treasure waiting for you if you look hard and long enough.
or maybe

the treasure is the art of being open

to new experiences....
and not being or feeling boxed in.

He Plays Soccer Each Saturday...

With this motto etched into the bottom of each cleat:

"Soccer/life is not just about scoring goals...

it is about winning."

She Dances Each Wednesday...

In A Studio Beneath A Sign That Reads:

Dance in the Direction of Your Dreams.

Of course she does.

Good to Each Other. When I'm Gone.

Sometimes I wonder if my children will be good to each other when I'm gone.

You know, when I'm not here to keep the peace?

Because sometimes a peacemaker is necessary.

Actually, a peacemaker was needed about 2 dozen times today. But who's counting?


Tonight and twice, I was reassured that they will be. (Good to each other when I'm gone.)

The first time I re-tucked Nonie into bed I made her cozy in a sea of flannel bedding with skiers on it. I kissed her forehead, complemented the ornament she hung on the tiny Xmas tree in their room and told her I loved her. Twice.

"Mommy kiss Dety", she ordered before I tiptoed out of the room.

So I did. For a second time this evening, I found his smooth forehead tucked in to his bed - asleep for a good 15 minutes already. And I kissed it - nice and loud so that Ms. Bossy would know I obeyed her.

******

But the second time she needed to be re-tucked in (do the math, this is her third time being kissed goodnight - darn those late-day naps) - I found each of her sleeping pals, tucked them in cozy under the hand-knit blankets and smooched her on her forehead.

We rubbed noses for a while and I tried to find her big blue eyes in the glow of their Xmas tree lights but I couldn't.

So I giggled. And got up to leave.

Halfway to the door I heard it again.

"Mommy kiss Dety", she reminded.

So I went to Decky's bed, found his smooth forehead and smooched it again.

******

There is a bond between my children that I get glimpses of but do not fully comprehend.
I guess that's to be expected, because the bond hasn't fully established itself.

Many days, all I hope for is that my children will be good to each other when I'm gone.

And tonight. And Twice. I was given a glimmer of how it will be.

And it looked comforting and good. And full of love.

Wish it for them.

Yesterday.
I was in a store
Searching for presents.
Like every other crazed person I know.
And I overheard a conversation that I can't get out of my head.
A little boy said:
Why did you put that back up on the shelf?
And his mom said:
It is too expensive and we can't afford it.
And the boy said:
But it is Christmastime!
Christmas is in a few days!
And the mom said:
I know!
That is why I wanted to get the present for them.
And the boy said:
No mom, all you have to do is WISH it for them.
And the mom said:
What?
And the boy said (with such sincerity my heart actually hurt a bit):
Wish it for them, mom.
All you have to do is wish it for them and they'll get it.

***

And then I walked away.
And I wished it for them. For all of them.

* About the picture - I, the dog-sitter, type from Mom's computer and this is from her files. But I thought it was a bit Dorothy from the Wizzard of Oz - clicking her heals. You wit' me on that?!?