Saturday, November 18, 2006
A Really Good Day
My husband enjoys taking the boys to the park. One of his favorite things about it is watching Seannie swing.
He shared this with me..."You should see Sean, he tilts his head back closes his eyes and just....flies".
Yeah honey, whatever. I'm glad you guys had a good time.
Today I took the boys and Bella to the park. ( I do this occasionally, but the parks I usually frequent
don't have swings, this one however, did.) I asked Seannie if he would like to swing. He shook his head "no" and began busily
working on moving sand from one side of himself to the other.
After enjoying the slide about 348 times and climbing up and down the steps of the climbing structure over
and over again, he indicated that he would like to swing by pointing and giving me the "more" sign in ASL.
I picked up my warm, sweet smelling boy (I'm never able to pass up a chance to bury my nose in his neck
and brown curls when he is close to me) nuzzled him quickly and placed him in the swing.
As soon as he started swinging he leaned his head back and turned his face to the sun, closing his eyes.
A slow, sweet smile grew on his face as he swung back and forth, back and forth. Making no sound, just....being.
Tears welled in my eyes as I thought.."Who am I to be given the gift of this beautiful life that asks nothing
more than to feel the warm sun on his face and the breeze through his curls? Who am I to deserve such a treasure?"
Thank you God, for choosing to bless me with Sean. Thank you God, for today. It was a really good day.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
Terrible? Or Terrific? Two's
Stevie is quite a handful right now...he makes loud noises, he "sprays" you with lip juices, he screams
"No!' at just about anything (even when he is biting off his nose to spite his face), stiffens up when you try to buckle him
into his carseat, runs away when its time to change him, and sobs bitterly into his blankie when he dosen't get his way.
Stevie is 2. Two years, 5 months and 5 days to be exact.
I find myself taking deep breaths and counting to ten before responding to his antics (I say "respond" instead
of "react", because it implies that I give thought to my actions :) and wonder how much longer is this stage going
to last?
This morning however I began to consider, what if the "terrible twos" are like everything else in life,
a matter of perspective? What if, I choose to revel in the delights of his emerging autonomy and cheer on his accomplishments
while minimizing the impact his negative behaviors have on my day?
It might not make a huge difference in my life long-term, but it could quite considerably make a difference
in his if he has a mother that lovingly wipes the tears, calmly directs him in self control and offers a warm lap as a shelter
from the scary experience of growing up...and away from Mama, as opposed to someone who looks and acts exasperated and
as out of control as he feels.
He is searching, after all, for himself. In the first five years of a childs life his character is built
and his personality set. All choices and values will be launched from this platform that has been laid so early in his childhood,
we can't afford to waste a moment, and must instead embrace each stage as an opportunity to guide him to "authentic self"
(Dr. Phil McGraw)
Monday, November 13, 2006
Old Friends
I am reminded of times past...when my concerns were few and my entire life was ahead of me. Two of my dearest
friends from those early years are Tammy and Lisa (listed in the order I met them :).
I think of them often, miss them much and see them never. Funny how people who at one time meant as much
to you (or more than) your own family, can become so distant.
Some of the best times of my life were spent with these girls, now beautiful women, with families of their
own. We probably don't have much in common anymore, aside of course from the wonderful memories we share.
Even though we don't see eachother, I think of them both often, with great love, and fond memories. I am
a better person for having known them.
Do you have an old friend you haven't spoken to in awhile? Contact them, I'm sure you will be glad you did.
This is the season for Thanksgiving, and one of the things I am most thankful for...is my friends, both
past and present...those from long ago and those yet to come!
