Monday, March 24, 2014

" I know Mommy's crazy, but please don't ever replace her."

This morning, the house smelled like Mommy was home. This week, Donna worked on Sunday, which is the day that she normally makes a great hot breakfast for the family. So, instead, she made it for the kids today. So, the children were woken to the smell of bacon, eggs and pancakes. As she prepared the meal, true to Donna-fashion, she was being a little eccentric (a.k.a. crazy) while cooking. Her behavior always amuses Skye. They are so much alike, I think Skye takes comfort in knowing that her eccentricities are shared by at least one parent.

Inseparable
 Skye leaned over to me as she was enjoying her meal and whispered, "I know Mommy's crazy, but please don't ever replace her." It was so touching, I had to share what she said with Donna. Of course, I got permission from Skye first, and then shared the sentiment with my lovely wife. She was moved to tears and is still reflecting on it hours later.

So many moments which seem to busy grownups to go unnoticed, are being absorbed by our children and making more of an impact than we often realize. It's so nice to hear our children articulate how they feel. Skye doesn't want anything to change in her perfect world. I have no intentions of rocking the boat. After all, I finally legally married her crazy mom in December, following a nearly 14-year engagement.

It's interesting to me how children begin to pick up on the impermanence of things. They watch seasons change, their favorite t-shirts become too small, and sometimes, even family units change. Whether those changes are brought on by death, divorce, or long-term separations, they still have an impact on everyone in the family. I imagine that Skye has watched some of her friends split time between two parents who no longer live together and the impact that has on her. I also think of the terrible Newtown shootings that took away 20 children (who were Skye's age) from their families, far too soon.

It's those realities that drive home how special it is to have one another. Our children have taught me to embrace those special moments, like breakfast being cooked by a woman who can channel her inner-Muppet, and hold them in our hearts and minds like precious jewels. I'm blessed to have a beautiful family and I know they are all irreplaceable.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

"I love Mama"

I just stumbled across a love letter from my daughter. Skye loves to sneak into my office and leave little notes and today, as I was using my post-it pad during some conference calls, I found a note that simply said, "I Love Mama." The love was drawn as a heart, though. That helped me identify that it was from Skye and not from Hunter (this time).
Pure love

Many of my readers may have noticed that I haven't written much in a while, and that saddens me. I simply haven't found the time to do it, despite it bringing me much joy. I love chronicling the parenting adventures I experience and lately, because I have been spread so thin, I've noticed I haven't been open to the joy that comes in the simplest of moments. Skye's note jogged me back into a space of gratitude and awareness that I need to keep an eye on my priorities. I wonder what compelled Skye to leave the note. I'll have to ask her later, but until then, I'll just accept it and take great pride that she took the time to leave it.

Donna and I tell our children everyday that we love them. And we hear it from them everyday. I never want that to change, but I also don't want to take it for granted. True love is so rare. I believe it's the source of our divinity. I also believe it's in short supply these days.

So, I'm going to make some changes and get back into a space where I am blogging more regularly. Because I know when I am blogging, it means I'm truly staying in the moment and remain open to true love and all of the ways it manifests itself.

I know I'll have a lot to share next month. Skye and I are going to Boston to take in a Boston Red Sox game during opening weekend. She's my little BoSox fan and carries on a love for the team that was started by my grandfather nearly fifty years ago. I miss him dearly, but I know he'll be with us in spirit and I know that Skye will have even more inspiration to leave love notes when we get back. So, stay tuned folks!