To My Son With Love

Dear Son,

Last year June 19th was father's day and your brothers, sisters and I were surprising daddy with a late lunch at Maggiano's.  Even though it was almost 3 weeks from your due date, you decided you could not wait any longer.  Daddy and I got to the hospital around 5:30 and you arrived at 10.

Our life was full of difficult turns and whirlwinds, but you, along with your siblings, remained my source of peace and happiness.  I am fascinated at your adoration and love for me.  I am proud of your walking and talking.  And I am excited, watching your loving, silly, dare-devil personality develop.

Today marks your first birthday.  I understand the sense of relief mothers have when marking their son's 18th birthday.  You have already caused mommy too many grey hairs.  I vow to keep you safe, teach you how to be a gentlemen, encourage your dreams, and fill your life with laughter, hugs and kisses.  And when you become a husband and father someday, I promise to always be your biggest cheerleader.

Happy first birthday and Many, many more! With all that I am...

Love,

Mommy

Music IS Life. My Life, At Least.

I was going to title this post Phil Collins: I Love You, but I realized Phil needs a post all to himself. (Yes Phil, you love me too, you just don't know it yet).

If I ever finish, publish, and screen write my story, I promise it will be full of Phil. Take Me Home, Against All Odds, I Wish It Would Rain Down, and of course the timeless In The Air Tonight, which makes us all close our eyes and think of...well, you know.

And of course, Angelina Jolie would play me.  I know it wouldn't be a stretch for her. *hehe*

I digress. As usual.

So, after my last child was born and my thoughts became noticeable to me again, I realized that I ALWAYS had a song in my head.

Not like an annoying ear worm like 800-588-2300 EMPIRE....Today. Ya, that crap gets stuck too! But, I realized I either had a song playing in my head or I would turn my thoughts into song.

Here's an example:

I was at my sister's house helping her bake cookies. When she pulled them out of the oven she said, "Crap, the cookies are flat and gooey!".  In my mind, I was singing:

"I like it like that, YEAH BABY, I like it like that, I - LIKE - IT - LIKE - THAT". (Yes, I'm dancing as I write this).

When I told my sister that I was singing in my head, she told me I was crazy. (Geez, never hear that one before).

Does that make me crazy?

Does that make me crazy?

Does that make me crazy?

Possibly....

See...there I go again...

Fortunately, my BFF comforted me, explaining that she too, always has a song in her head.  If I'm gonna be crazy, at least I won't be alone.

Music IS my life. How 'bout you?


;-p


~ M

Whiny Wilma And Her Sidekick Smiley

This picture truly does speak a thousand words.  In so many ways, these two remind me of me and my younger brother David.  I'm going to have to dig up a picture of us to compare.  Keep in mind, David is one of 7 brothers.  I also am blessed with 6 sisters.  We are all a mish-mash of halves, but David is my only "full".  None of that really makes a difference. Except for David, him being the closest in age meant he bore the brunt of all of my loving abuse...the type of abuse that can only come from a first born.

My little girl has the most beautiful, long locks of red curls.  And little smiley just can't resist pulling them. Today, when she thought I wasn't watching, she got even. Poor smiley didn't know what hit him.

My mom always told me she hoped I would have a daughter just like me one day. Ok, Mom. Wish granted.

Siblings are the people we practice on,

the people who teach us about fairness 

and cooperation and kindness and caring,

quite often the hard way.

-Pamela Dugdale