Rhythm is a Dancer (or a daughter)

When it's just us, we rock the house costume drawer style.












Giving thanks for all that I've got and all that I love.





.

There but for the grace of God go I

I played with Fin this morning, walked Briar to school, sang to Ave. I didn't fully understand the depth of my blessings.

::::


You say it, but as a parent, when you hear the story, for a moment you go there.
You imagine the scenario.
The kids.
The challenges.
The marriage.
The beauty.
The life.

The stroke.

Kids waiting at home while your husband holds your hand praying for you to pull through. "We need you. We all need you, honey."

It is inconceivable, and yet, it is real.

Anissa is at the ICU. Peter is with her. The circle around them grows larger with each tweet and post, but at the center, it is still a woman fighting for her life.

Pray for Anissa. Imagine for a moment, that it's you. Or your spouse. Live this moment and every moment after that you can, making good on the time you are given. To help Anissa: Think of her and her family.


.

Larger than life

The girls are getting bigger. Bigger in the sense of oh-my-god-are-their-feet-growing-by-the-minute and getting bigger with regard to how very much they understand. Disagreeing sparks unfamiliar nuance, a furrowed brow a trembling lip or a sudden scrambling for attention. WE are paying heed, but just as we think we get it, something new emerges.

"Mom..."

"Yes, baby?" I say as I examine an eyebrow.

"Are you almost done, I'd like a little private time for potty." Blue eyes as pure as the summer sky await my response.

Shocked, I nod and scurry out of the room.

There is role playing with, "I now declare thee husband and wife," and "well, I'd like to, but I have to work."

Hey there, cat's in the cradle.

I am trying to grasp how three burgeoning bumps have manifested into three gangly girls, all opinion and puppy dog eyes. I see how quickly they are gaining us, their speed, questing and size all threatening to eclipse us as we struggle to manage the details, emotions and appointments.

I try not to superimpose the idea of pregnancy, but I realize how little they'll still be as they fall in love, move away and start families. My greatest fear is that for each inch and ability they grow, so does their space in my heart. I cannot fathom how, when they finally fledge, I'll survive it upright.




.