Miles and miles and miles away my nieces and nephews are growing up without me, leaving me with the dilemma of how to let them know how close to my heart each one of them is.
So modern technology brought me Facetime. Face to face we can chat. It isn't quite the same as picking them up and hugging them or tickling them, but at least they know my face and my quirky sense of humor.
When I call, my youngest niece buzzes around the house sharing her life with me, and I talk to her. I remember the day that technology failed us and my voice disappeared into cyberspace. She stopped and looked at me, then she looked at her mama, and proclaimed, "Oh no!"
Awww...at least somebody likes to hear my voice. My teenagers are not near as enthused.
Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Hockey Fever
I remember watching my littlest girl play street hockey in the cul de sac at our Pennsylvania home. Those rough and tumble boys had nothing on her even though she was only five.
My littlest girl started hockey this week. She has learned to ice-skate with her brother this year, but stopping is tricky! The hockey instructor made more progress in 30 minutes than any of us did all year!
At farmer's market this morning, she tried her hand at the goal at the San Francisco Bull's tent.
The mascot was definitely a bit bullish--showing his best side!
Nonetheless everyone was all smiles!
Thursday, February 28, 2013
After school, as I am gathering up my children, I also gather the daily news.
My freshman daughter proclaimed, "Mom, the funniest thing happened today! I was talking to a friend after class and she was telling me how Michael scored a girl's phone number because she felt sorry for him. I asked her how (just so you know--girls don't need to come up for air), and then she called Michael to come over and tell me the story, but he changed the subject. Then he asked me what time it was. I told him 12:50. "Well, since we are talking about numbers, what is yours?"
I will grant him a couple points for being clever, as long as he never calls my daughter.
My freshman daughter proclaimed, "Mom, the funniest thing happened today! I was talking to a friend after class and she was telling me how Michael scored a girl's phone number because she felt sorry for him. I asked her how (just so you know--girls don't need to come up for air), and then she called Michael to come over and tell me the story, but he changed the subject. Then he asked me what time it was. I told him 12:50. "Well, since we are talking about numbers, what is yours?"
I will grant him a couple points for being clever, as long as he never calls my daughter.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
"Mom, the kids at school make fun of you...."
(Are you kidding me? I haven't been in junior high for nearly 30 years, and the kids are still tormenting me?? Nonetheless, he had my full attention...)
"...because you pack veggies in my lunch."
(Seriously, that is it??)
"They ask me if I actually eat that "stuff," so I usually wait and eat that later. But yesterday the carrots were so fresh and good that I just ate them with my lunch anyway. I love carrots."
(Whew. Note to self--pack carrots most often.)
(Are you kidding me? I haven't been in junior high for nearly 30 years, and the kids are still tormenting me?? Nonetheless, he had my full attention...)
"...because you pack veggies in my lunch."
(Seriously, that is it??)
"They ask me if I actually eat that "stuff," so I usually wait and eat that later. But yesterday the carrots were so fresh and good that I just ate them with my lunch anyway. I love carrots."
(Whew. Note to self--pack carrots most often.)
Monday, February 18, 2013
Tide rolls in
Hearing the roar of the tide as it rolls in soothes my soul. I am always humbled in the presence of the mighty ocean. As I stand at the shore, I am reminded of the mythological stories from ancient times--the ones that name and describe powerful acts of nature. Long ago people stood in awe of the country that surrounded them and respected the magnificent beauty and unseen power. We don't stand in awe of the country that surrounds us anymore. We tend to stand and think about what could be...
Gazing at the shimmering waters, I find myself grateful that I can scramble up the rugged coastal outcroppings to enjoy the moment...as I hear the healthy voices of my children amidst the roaring of water as they scramble in search of adventure.
The tide leaves behind sculpted sand...much like life leaves us...as we shift under the tides...unique and beautiful.
My son created a sand Valentine for me...one that will eventually disappear into the tide...just as the little boy with a mischievous grin is transforming into a young adult.
Ecclesiates 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season,
and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate;
A time of war, and a time of peace.
| |
Thursday, February 14, 2013
Valentine's Moments
The first flowers of the season unfurled last night just outside my door. Nature delivered.
Daddy delivered too-- cards to all the little sweethearts in his life...so they all went off to school smiling this morning!
One valentine is missing though...she just finished dancing this morning at a Broadway workshop with one of the actors from the show they will see tonight. Her enthusiasm was bubbling through her text.
I caught a glimpse of her pretty face on the Today show yesterday morning which left me reassured that she had landed safely in NYC.
For me today is about pausing to remind my family how much I love each one of them.
Daddy delivered too-- cards to all the little sweethearts in his life...so they all went off to school smiling this morning!
One valentine is missing though...she just finished dancing this morning at a Broadway workshop with one of the actors from the show they will see tonight. Her enthusiasm was bubbling through her text.
I caught a glimpse of her pretty face on the Today show yesterday morning which left me reassured that she had landed safely in NYC.
For me today is about pausing to remind my family how much I love each one of them.
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Unplugged
Literally.
Our phone and internet service provider accidentally unplugged us.
Completely unaware, except that my service was not working, I called the provider with my cell phone and spent hours troubleshooting. (I even have a new modem now.)
In the end, a few days later a technician arrived--only to discover a service call down the street on Friday was completed incorrectly affecting us...and the neighbors...seriously?? Why did they waste my time troubleshooting for hours??
Nothing like being unplugged to highlight codependency. My children experienced withdrawal immediately.
However, they survived.
I survived.
Perhaps we even flourished.
Our phone and internet service provider accidentally unplugged us.
Completely unaware, except that my service was not working, I called the provider with my cell phone and spent hours troubleshooting. (I even have a new modem now.)
In the end, a few days later a technician arrived--only to discover a service call down the street on Friday was completed incorrectly affecting us...and the neighbors...seriously?? Why did they waste my time troubleshooting for hours??
Nothing like being unplugged to highlight codependency. My children experienced withdrawal immediately.
However, they survived.
I survived.
Perhaps we even flourished.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
