Last night, you came to our room. You had woken up and couldn’t go back to sleep. Daddy invited you into bed with us. You climbed in and found your spot between us. A spot you had not used in longer than I can remember. You quickly drifted off to sleep. As did I. I woke up several times to check on you. I couldn’t help but smile when I opened my eyes. Your precious face so close to...
Will They Remember?
When my kids grow up and start their own life… when they have their own kids… What will they remember? Who will they remember? Will they remember the mornings with a cranky mom who needed more sleep? Or the nights she was there for them when they woke up from a bad dream? Will they remember the mom who constantly nagged about all the things? Or the mom who cared enough to worry about...
Unfixable
I can’t erase you from my life. You are still a part of my story. You are in my memories. But they’re tainted now. I can’t ignore what you’ve said. And I can’t ignore how you’ve made me feel. You picked up the phone and kicked me out of your life. You sat in my childhood home and shunned me with memories of me in that house all around you. Even the very chair...
Nowhere
I’ve listened to your criticism for years. Your judgments. Your disrespectful digs. I’ve pushed them aside, along with my self-worth. I’ve continued to allow you in my life. Against my better judgment. But this time… this time is different. You’ve gone too far for far too long. I will still love you. But I will do so from a distance. I love myself enough now to only accept...
Sunday Afternoon
A quiet Sunday at home. Bellies are full. Air conditioner is blowing. Dishwasher is running. Laundry is done. Kids are happy. One is honing her VR gaming skills. The other is playing chess with Daddy. I sit with my notebook. White blueberry tea fills my cup. Each doing our own thing. All in the same room. Physically close together. Our hearts even closer. I breathe in the moment. I close my eyes...
She Did It
54 days ago, Leala peeked at the skills she needed to do for 7th grade. She had just completed 6th grade the day before, but was eager to know what was next. She did one skill that day and another skill the next day. Once Monday came, she dove straight in and mastered a record-breaking 50 skills! There was no stopping her. She asked me how long I thought it would take her to finish 7th grade. I...