Certain objects become touchstones of our younger years. Perhaps it’s a small statue or a wall hanging that has come to symbolize childhood for you in some way. I wonder why some objects take on a special meaning and other objects do not carry any particular significance in our memories. The objects that have a … More unintentional touchstones
Mother’s Day is approaching, and once again I am reminded of the incredible blessing of children. Children energize me and sustain me. In this poem, my children save me from becoming a crumbling mountain of exhaustion to something like a volcano of energy. They help me form the new island of myself. I think many … More New Island
My almost-9-year old (!) son Sunboy was moping. “My Pokemon cards are in Daddy’s car, and Daddy isn’t here,” he said. He tried to use this cruel oppression to his advantage. “Ice cream would cheer me up,” he reasoned. I love to nurture my kids. I wrap them in blankets. But pleas of being bored … More making happy, making sad
Four-year old Flowergirl broke the plaster paw print casting that eight-year old Sunboy made at his camp session at the natural history museum. Yesterday he excitedly told us he would be making the paw print, and today he was pretty upset when it broke. “We’ll fix it if we can,” we reassured him. I couldn’t … More Connected
I traveled recently, and of course I missed my family terribly. These precious people are so many things. They are their own individual manifestations of life. They are touchstones for the love I feel for them. They collaborate with me in the ongoing expression and evolution of our mutual love. When we are apart, they … More The home of my heart
I was the first one to know you, your restlessness interwoven with your capacity for deep sleep. My child, content in your silent swimming… 1) You are a miracle, finally here. Our touch is electric – we are the same skin. I understand your baby-seriousness and your clumsiness. I see myself in you, just as … More eight thoughts for eight-years old (now 9 for 9!)
Since we don’t watch television, we sometimes spend a few moments before Sunboy’s bedtime showing him diverse cultural touchstones. We’ve learned how a variety of items are made, both artisan and industrial. We’ve listened to Steven Hawking talk about the potential for life on other planets. We’ve watched cartoons from my childhood, including Pink Panther … More Light in the distance
Two dolls wrestled in Sundoy’s hands. “The dollhouse is not a contact sport,” I said to him as he dropped the dolls down through two floors. He stacked the toilet on top of the dining room table. “What’s for dinner?” he asked as he fell over laughing. “This isn’t Skylanders vying for control of the … More Dollhouse
We didn’t send Christmas cards this year, but here’s what our card insert might have said… Overall, 2013 was a terrible year, but we cleared the dark corners, accepted some things we’d rather avoid and found a new place. We both changed jobs. I finished writing my poetry book and became a regular contributor to … More 2013
