Throughout the course of my life as a mother there have come to pass many moments in which I’ve seen proof of light and innocence in my children. Within those moments, I’ve wanted nothing more than to tuck my babies quietly away, protecting that quality from the grime and tarnish with which the world would… Continue reading This little light
Category: My Pride and Joy
Against all odds
When–at sixteen–you lie in a gown on a railed bed and labor to bring forth a life, the stakes are high. In between peaks on the monitor you notice the sideways glances of nurses. You can almost hear the judgements running through their heads–the disapproving sighs they stop just short of. When–at sixteen–you watch that… Continue reading Against all odds
View from the top
I’m slicing green peppers for tomorrow’s lunches while simultaneously overseeing homework and a shower-taker still in training. The older two walk through the door to paninis waiting on the table. Eager to tell me about her new gig as one of the JV football managers, the freshman starts in but there comes a bang from… Continue reading View from the top
This boy I know
His bedroom door sticks from monsoon humidity. The groan of it breaks a quiet morning. Next come familiar footsteps, padding across the hall and into the kitchen. Bare but for his LEGO Batman briefs, my eyes try, but can’t find the baby fat they remember. He leans in to me–still too sleepy for uprightness. From… Continue reading This boy I know
nuances of you
On your shelf there is a stack of pajamas a foot high. You are free to choose whichever suits you. Despite the variety available, you always choose the mint green and pink plaid pants with the ruffled cuffs and the Life is Good, Schnoodles Make it Better shirt. First thing you do each morning is… Continue reading nuances of you
patchwork
The red-orange flames of a raging fire brought them home two weeks early, like a Christmas gift found stashed in with the ol’ glory bunting and sparklers. The flight was late–an unexpected midnight airport run. A groggy morning after. Laughter seeps out from under a closed door. I sneak up on it, with breath drawn… Continue reading patchwork
snapshots of a girl
She dreams–one day–of making it big in the Walt Disney Company. As part of her senior exit project, she’s flying to Florida next week to shadow a Disney social media maven–on the job and in the {theme park} field for twenty hours. Yesterday, we shopped for outfits for the occasion: young but professional, cute but… Continue reading snapshots of a girl
A Girl Uncommon
On the day she turned one we celebrated in the city park. I remember watching her toddle around and wondering at where the year had gone. Today she turned seventeen. Seven. teen. One year from adulthood. One quick-as-a-blink year left before she arrives. Officially free to go her own way, wherever that might be. It’s… Continue reading A Girl Uncommon
Pinkalicious Or Bust
Jayce’s class went to the library for the first time this week. He picked out a book: Pinkalicious. It’s the story of a little girl who eats too many cupcakes and turns pink. The cover of the book is, well, pinkalicious. Three days after he brought the book home, Jayce mentioned in passing that a… Continue reading Pinkalicious Or Bust
Cruel and Unusual
You might remember the post from back before Christmas in which I told you how Jayce had been “wishing for a dog or a cat every day.” And how we caved to his heart’s desire and picked out a little Mowgli of our own to love. Fast forward eight months. Mowgli is no longer a… Continue reading Cruel and Unusual
Talking CRAP
When first they go off to dad camp I–admittedly–exhale. The pace slows to a half-hearted stroll. There is an eh-whatever mentality where once a gotta-get-it-done one ruled supreme. There is the novelty of cooking for only three. There are fewer piles of laundry. There are lazy mornings. Empty schedules. Lots and lots of minutes to… Continue reading Talking CRAP
Redhead
I have different points of pride for each and every one of the little people who’ve come into the world through my body. Today, though? The redhead. She leaves my heart so puffed with love and pride that sometimes I worry it’ll either burst or just up and float right away. This child. Oh my… Continue reading Redhead