My daughter whom I referred to in my profile as M1, was laying next to me on the couch trying her best not to go to bed. When she came into the living room with some sleep threatening ailment, I said "just lay down next to me, over at that end of the couch." "So I can't see the blogs?" she asked. "Correct" I said. "Why are you reading everywhere else when you should just be writing in your own?" asked M1. Good point. Then she said, "why don't you write about our relationship?"
How do I love this kid! Okay M1 stands for, of course, Munchkin #1. Her given name is Tali (pronounced Tah-lee, accent 2nd syllable) Rose (not together, but rather first and middle names). You can tell her name has been abused. Tali is Hebrew for morning dew or technically, my morning dew. So, loosely translated her name becomes - morning dew on the rose in the heart of the field (as our last name translates to heart of the field). Believe me, she is more beautiful than that little poem of a name hints at. It's my blog - it's the only place I can kvell like this!
I want to hold this moment in time and freeze it - us laying here together, laughing about whatever, and take it out and show her when she is 13 and getting a liiiitle tired of her family. Again, when she is 15 and holed up in her room with music blaring and again, when she is 18 going off to college. But, truth is I have enjoyed every moment of our relationship up to this point. Good times/bad times. No real bad - the kid's only eight after all. But she is willful and will break a lesser soul (see previous post) if not heart. She is the embodiment of all that I would like a daughter to be: smart, fun, cute - okay, beautiful - the kid is easy on the eye, considerate, compassionate, giving, musically talented, mathemataically talented, writes well, takes no crap from anyone period! Most of all - she looks out for her little brother. One day we were in the park and Julian (M2) was up on the slide/playhouse waiting in line to go down. Three older children, about 10, were in front of the line holding it up, joking around. Before I could say anything, Tali appeared from playing on the swings and had run up and yelled "Excuse me, you're in the way and my brother wants to go down the slide." Firmly enough that they moved aside and Tali said "come on Julian, let's go". This makes me proud. Julian adores her - he calls her either "Princess or my princess".
I remember, with both of my children, wheeling them in the stroller and invariably the oft repeated "enjoy them now, they grow so fast" heard at every corner. Which I really do know, but I have enjoyed every phase of their lives thusfar. Each part of their development holds its own promise, its own travails. I mean, who wants to change diapers for 10 years? But the promise is what I hold on to.
I guess when I say that I would like to freeze this moment, I mean just to show her and laugh about something from it with her. But I will be very happy to be in all of the moments now and onward. I am not a woman who worries about aging. The promise of what's around the corner, the carrot dangled ahead has always worked out just fine for me. Now with four of us in the wagon, we'll just have to keep an eye on the carrot, but enjoy the ride in the cart as well.
Tali, although this isn't just an "our relationship post", it gives a glimpse into the kind of girl you are. A relationship that I cherish now and will always. Julian, you'll hear about next because a boy like this needs a post of his own!
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Uniting Nations
No, no talk of war or politics - not now anyway. The World Cup is coming! So, this past Sunday the US Men's Soccer team defeated the Latvian team 1-0 in pre World Cup tune-ups. Oh, don't I sound knowledgable on things soccer. Truth is, I am. Well, a bit more than the average American as I am married to a futbol fanatic and am a great bandwagon jumper. The World Cup will be hosted by Germany and my husband has been excitedly counting off the months until it commences (mid-June). Actually, the years - since the last World Cup four years ago. I know it is at this point that I will feel the shift in weight in our bed and find him excitedly (but quietly) cheering somewhere in the house at 4:00 a.m. for some team that has not yet faced elimination (US is a longshot I am sure you all know that much).
Mr. Scissorhands has long thrown his arms up in utter exasperation about we Americans lack of excitement over the true football. He comes to the US from Romania by way of Italy and subsequently Chile. He breathes soccer. He exclaims, "work stops, people close shops while The Games are being played!".
So, on Sunday he and my darling daughter, M1 went off to see the game live. My darling son, M2 and I stayed home and did our own thing. The most beautiful part about this is not how the world unites during the games, no that would be much too magnanimous of me. It is how the Daddy/daughter relationship flourishes at this time. Normally, M1 considers Daddy too stern, too curt, not indulgent enough, blah blah blah. Daddy considers M1 spoiled, non-disciplined, insolente! blah blah blah. And somewhere in the middle is me - playing both ends. Often, not so well I might add for I see both their sides. But at this time, during the World Cup for instance, M1 becomes the apple of his eye that she truly is and he becomes her Daddy that he'll always be.
And I sit on the sidelines and smile. And cheer.
Mr. Scissorhands has long thrown his arms up in utter exasperation about we Americans lack of excitement over the true football. He comes to the US from Romania by way of Italy and subsequently Chile. He breathes soccer. He exclaims, "work stops, people close shops while The Games are being played!".
So, on Sunday he and my darling daughter, M1 went off to see the game live. My darling son, M2 and I stayed home and did our own thing. The most beautiful part about this is not how the world unites during the games, no that would be much too magnanimous of me. It is how the Daddy/daughter relationship flourishes at this time. Normally, M1 considers Daddy too stern, too curt, not indulgent enough, blah blah blah. Daddy considers M1 spoiled, non-disciplined, insolente! blah blah blah. And somewhere in the middle is me - playing both ends. Often, not so well I might add for I see both their sides. But at this time, during the World Cup for instance, M1 becomes the apple of his eye that she truly is and he becomes her Daddy that he'll always be.
And I sit on the sidelines and smile. And cheer.
Monday, May 29, 2006
On Things Memorial
On Things Memorial
Today is Memorial Day as celebrated in the United States. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have served our country past and present - freedom is indeed not free. A very sad byproduct of war often times is what happens to veterans upon their return to civilian life. I am posting the lyrics from a song by John Prine, Sam Stone. My brother Peter had once remarked that this is one of the most prolific war (or perhaps he said anti-war) songs written. Pete, I have to agree.
Souvenirs
John Prine Live
Prime Prine
Great Days: the John Prine Anthology
John Prine
song notes
Sam Stone
©John Prine
Sam Stone came home,
To his wife and family
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knee.
But the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked,
With a Purple Heart and a monkey on his back.
Chorus:
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Mmm....
Sam Stone's welcome home
Didn't last too long.
He went to work when he'd spent his last dime
And Sammy took to stealing
When he got that empty feeling
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold rolled through his veins
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...
Repeat Chorus:
Sam Stone was alone
When he popped his last balloon
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair
Well, he played his last request
While the room smelled just like death
With an overdose hovering in the air
But life had lost its fun
And there was nothing to be done
But trade his house that he bought on the G. I. Bill
For a flag draped casket on a local heroes' hill.
Repeat Chorus
Today is Memorial Day as celebrated in the United States. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all who have served our country past and present - freedom is indeed not free. A very sad byproduct of war often times is what happens to veterans upon their return to civilian life. I am posting the lyrics from a song by John Prine, Sam Stone. My brother Peter had once remarked that this is one of the most prolific war (or perhaps he said anti-war) songs written. Pete, I have to agree.
Souvenirs
John Prine Live
Prime Prine
Great Days: the John Prine Anthology
John Prine
song notes
Sam Stone
©John Prine
Sam Stone came home,
To his wife and family
After serving in the conflict overseas.
And the time that he served,
Had shattered all his nerves,
And left a little shrapnel in his knee.
But the morphine eased the pain,
And the grass grew round his brain,
And gave him all the confidence he lacked,
With a Purple Heart and a monkey on his back.
Chorus:
There's a hole in daddy's arm where all the money goes,
Jesus Christ died for nothin' I suppose.
Little pitchers have big ears,
Don't stop to count the years,
Sweet songs never last too long on broken radios.
Mmm....
Sam Stone's welcome home
Didn't last too long.
He went to work when he'd spent his last dime
And Sammy took to stealing
When he got that empty feeling
For a hundred dollar habit without overtime.
And the gold rolled through his veins
Like a thousand railroad trains,
And eased his mind in the hours that he chose,
While the kids ran around wearin' other peoples' clothes...
Repeat Chorus:
Sam Stone was alone
When he popped his last balloon
Climbing walls while sitting in a chair
Well, he played his last request
While the room smelled just like death
With an overdose hovering in the air
But life had lost its fun
And there was nothing to be done
But trade his house that he bought on the G. I. Bill
For a flag draped casket on a local heroes' hill.
Repeat Chorus
Saturday, May 27, 2006
The Convertsation
You're going to what?
Convert to Judaism. We're sitting in traffic on the Skuylkill Expressway outside of Philadelphia enroute to my sister's house when I decide to have this conversation with my Mom. For those not familiar with this particular Expressway, it seems there is never a time that cars actually drive on it. You just sit and sit and sit. Admittedly, not the best timing on my part. I was certainly old enough to make this decision on my own being in my 30's, but just decided to have the little what's new in my life conversation with her.
I was brought up Catholic - Irish Catholic to be exact. That translates into many siblings, in my case nine and issues with alcohol, in my case, weeell, let's protect anonymity here. I was a long lapsed Catholic and had faith issues in general. The sudden interest in Judaism wasn't so sudden as it turned out. I had been dating my husband for some time and we had begun the "convertsation". Actually, I began it - "Mr. Scissorhands, I am thinking of converting." Hello Rabbi. Very long story short, after a year studing with a Rabbi in Brooklyn with my future hubby, it was official. To give credit to both Moms involved - mine, after she got out of the car that day, (no she did not throw herself underneath) was subsequently never anything but supportive and respectful of my decision, even if she did not fully undertand it. And Mr. Scissorhand's, well, she is nothing if not practical and any hard time she gave me never had anything to do with my religion. Through some difficult times, we have come to have a good understanding of each other, particularly as one Jewish mother to another.
I often hesitate to tell people I converted only because some people's reaction is to doubt the sincerity or authenticity of me as a Jew - the oh come on, you still eat lobster dontcha? I don't. I still grapple with faith issues in general and feel I could be doing more for myself on a spiritual level, but that seems to be a common thread for me.
Anyway, just a little teeny glimpse into G's life. You know some may think I converted for the jokes, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Did I tell you the one about the Irish girl...some other time.
Convert to Judaism. We're sitting in traffic on the Skuylkill Expressway outside of Philadelphia enroute to my sister's house when I decide to have this conversation with my Mom. For those not familiar with this particular Expressway, it seems there is never a time that cars actually drive on it. You just sit and sit and sit. Admittedly, not the best timing on my part. I was certainly old enough to make this decision on my own being in my 30's, but just decided to have the little what's new in my life conversation with her.
I was brought up Catholic - Irish Catholic to be exact. That translates into many siblings, in my case nine and issues with alcohol, in my case, weeell, let's protect anonymity here. I was a long lapsed Catholic and had faith issues in general. The sudden interest in Judaism wasn't so sudden as it turned out. I had been dating my husband for some time and we had begun the "convertsation". Actually, I began it - "Mr. Scissorhands, I am thinking of converting." Hello Rabbi. Very long story short, after a year studing with a Rabbi in Brooklyn with my future hubby, it was official. To give credit to both Moms involved - mine, after she got out of the car that day, (no she did not throw herself underneath) was subsequently never anything but supportive and respectful of my decision, even if she did not fully undertand it. And Mr. Scissorhand's, well, she is nothing if not practical and any hard time she gave me never had anything to do with my religion. Through some difficult times, we have come to have a good understanding of each other, particularly as one Jewish mother to another.
I often hesitate to tell people I converted only because some people's reaction is to doubt the sincerity or authenticity of me as a Jew - the oh come on, you still eat lobster dontcha? I don't. I still grapple with faith issues in general and feel I could be doing more for myself on a spiritual level, but that seems to be a common thread for me.
Anyway, just a little teeny glimpse into G's life. You know some may think I converted for the jokes, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
Did I tell you the one about the Irish girl...some other time.
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Talking to People
"I don't talk to people I know..."
This from Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm after becoming a part restaurant owner and his wife Cheryl incredulously commenting "You're gonna talk to people?". To which Larry replied, "I don't talk to people I know; now people I don't know, I'll talk to."
Actually, I love to talk. No, not in that "yenta" who knows everything sort of way, but to chat, get to know people. That's why blogging held an allure for me. Well, let me backtrack on how I jumped on the quickly departing blog train. I read The Long Island Press cover article about Pia's Courting Destiny blog and went to check it out for myself whereby I posted a comment and was just drawn in from there. I like a good read and found some of the blogs encountered to be intriguing in the way that a good book draws you in. Some, like Doug's Waking Ambrose are an education and just plain fun! I also wanted a creative outlet - something for just me. No waterpainting with the kids - just me!
Now, I admit to being reticent on sharing any written thoughts publicly (after all I am not a writer, maybe my vocabulary's not broad enough), but with a little generous encouragement from some kind experienced bloggers - both Pia and Doug, poof - I have a blog!
Now hopefully the people I don't know will become those that I do.
This from Larry David on Curb Your Enthusiasm after becoming a part restaurant owner and his wife Cheryl incredulously commenting "You're gonna talk to people?". To which Larry replied, "I don't talk to people I know; now people I don't know, I'll talk to."
Actually, I love to talk. No, not in that "yenta" who knows everything sort of way, but to chat, get to know people. That's why blogging held an allure for me. Well, let me backtrack on how I jumped on the quickly departing blog train. I read The Long Island Press cover article about Pia's Courting Destiny blog and went to check it out for myself whereby I posted a comment and was just drawn in from there. I like a good read and found some of the blogs encountered to be intriguing in the way that a good book draws you in. Some, like Doug's Waking Ambrose are an education and just plain fun! I also wanted a creative outlet - something for just me. No waterpainting with the kids - just me!
Now, I admit to being reticent on sharing any written thoughts publicly (after all I am not a writer, maybe my vocabulary's not broad enough), but with a little generous encouragement from some kind experienced bloggers - both Pia and Doug, poof - I have a blog!
Now hopefully the people I don't know will become those that I do.
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Welcome!
Welcome! You know for my first company I wanted to have a nice table set and all the toys and clutter put away. Okay, so truth is - it's not my home, I just like the color combination. It's actually what a working mom (well one who is obsessed with trying to get things in order) dreams of. I wouldn't mind if my hubby, Edward Scissorhands, or my two kids M1 and M2 tried just a little harder to humor me. Well they try, it's just not so convincing.
So, I content myself with doing the best I can when I can and knowing that when we put the kids to bed at night, as long as things are within reason, Metropolitan Home will just have to wait to cover our place!
Looking for Mike Hucknell?
He's not here - but, this is my first test post. You know, good order and housekeeping, keeping up appearances and making sure I like what I see. Thanks - hope to have it up and running before long.
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