My Babies

My sweet, adorable, mind-turning children. They keep me grounded with their wonderfully whimsical ways of thinking. Here's just a few moments:

(At the dinner table a few evenings ago.)
My daughter: Momma, I loooove your spaghetti. You're the best cooker ever!
My son: Mommy, I loooove your face because you give me the best kisses with it!

And a conversation between my son and his dad last night- he stays at our house on Sunday nights when I am working third shift.

My son: I like when Mommy's here and you're not.
His dad: Why is that buddy?
My son: Cos I sleep with Mommy and I love sleeping with her.

I loooove being mom, mommy, momma!!!!

Drifting

There's a hot air balloon drifting over my little brick house on this beautiful November day. When they drop me a rope I will climb aboard and drift away. Seems my head's in the cloud-streaked sky to stay.

Oh wait! It's landing just beyond the trees! I better go!

Parts for the Heart

****Phone Ringing****

Shop Keeper: Thanks for calling the parts department for Keep Your Life On Track. Can I help you?

Me: Yes, I need a new timing belt. Seems mine needs to be replaced.

Shop Keeper: What makes you say that?? Is it still running? Not installed correctly on the pulleys?

Me: It's running..... but BACKWARDS. Like to YEARS AGO and thoughts of the "road not taken" are throwing my days off.

Shop Keeper: Oh, I see. Give me the specs and let's see what we've got.

Me: It's a 1974 model. Pretty straightforward and usually has life running in check. But an old friend has reconnected and tugged the belt- nearly off its pulley. Now it seems to be skipping, if you will.

Shop Keeper: That's no problem. You may not need a replacement. Just let things be as they are and I'm sure the belt will self correct for perfect harmony in no time. Why so worried?

Me: Because sometimes I'm happy it went backwards.

Shop Keeper: Why can't you just do a manual adjustment? Catch up with your old friend, say your peace and be on your way.

Me: Replacing the belt would be easier. In the years apart, significant parts and pieces have combined, for what appears, a great life for my friend and I want that for him. In a matter of weeks, he will be overseas and his future isn't so smooth... but there still isn't a place in it for me upon return. We've shared things that have been put away for years and still have much more to say. We just haven't quite found... or even looked for.... that stopping point. I thought this would be easy, just agree it was nice catching up then say keep in touch and all those lines people don't really mean.

Shop Keeper: And now you wonder about.......?

Me: Timing!!!! Why didn't we have this opportunity years ago? Why now, of all times? Does this mean there is some impending doom? I fear the same things now as then- closure, our definite end and yet no "forward point" either. We've set our own paths in different parts of the country with no innocent intersections. Just give me a new timing belt, erase my odometer, and let us get back on our respective journeys. Time is ticking!

Shop Keeper: Sorry, you're on your own. We don't have a fix, but belts are dependable and will keep things running even when you've lost the map. You're not supposed to feel it tugging along the pulleys and it may even squeak from time to time, but just take it for what it is. Your belt doesn't need to be replaced so don't forget your ultimate destination. And remember one other thing- happiness is sold separately- but it must work with all the other parts for a great trip. Blaze your own path and happy trails!