May Days

 

Where did May go? As they say, time flys while you’re having fun, I’d say yes and sometimes time just flys. After a year of shocking life changes and health challenges, I’ve been having some fun which is a lovely surprise. 

Although it’s a lot of work, potting and planting my yard and patio is always fun. Going to the garden store is a delightful field trip. I love wandering through the isles of bright flowers and colorful hanging baskets. I couldn’t wait to get them home and planted. 

Grandchildren are grand indeed. 

This month also found my husband and I taking care of 2 of our 3 little ones. We had 3 year old, Cieran for four days. He is such a sweet and smart little boy. We went to the park one day and watched his pre-school fun run. He did art in my studio, cars of course, since that’s his favorite movie right now. 

On Thursdays, we get to have 16 month old Madden here. It’s so much fun to see him grow and learn and develop from little baby to toddler. We always take him on a walk to the park. He’s walking with confidence now and one of the best things is his desire to explore. 

Health and art. 

Finally, this month I had my appointment with my new PCP which if you don’t know(and I didn’t until recently) is my Primary Care Physician. In my new ‘healthcare’ world, this is the person who oversees all of my healthcare needs. I looked forward to this appointment and the chance to talk to one person about all my recent health care issues. I hoping this will make my experiences with this new healthcare system much easier. 

The studio is always my happy place. I’m so glad when I’m in there working with colors and clay. This week, I’m making new birds and playing with new ideas for little sculptures. And wondering about more paintings in a watercolor technique on clay. 

May Days fly by

Like the birds in the sky

Perhaps it’s time to sit and savor

The colors of the season

And let it all bloom, including me. 

Everyday Dads

I grew up in a family of boys. As the only girl, I was the odd ‘man’ out always trying to be tough and at the same time hoping to be seen in the crowd. 

It was my Dad, not my Mom, who always had my back. It was my Dad who reached out when I was overwhelmed. He drilled me in math. He gave me his books to read. When I wondered ‘why’ about anything from the Bible to history or science, he answered my questions truthfully. And counseled me to keep the knowledge to myself around the nuns who taught by sending me to the coat closet for asking too many questions. 

I loved him and thank him for everything he did for me. Yet, he was a traditional man of his time. He traveled a lot. He did not help around the house. He was not an ‘everyday’ Dad. 

A new kind of Dad. 

I married a man who is the best kind of Dad I could imagine for my children. He’s been all in from the moment they were born. He diapered, rocked, bathed, fed, played and loved our children. He built them play sets. He read them books. He took them to work with him. 

Now my children have their own children. And my son has diapered, rocked and fed his daughter. Today on Father’s Day, he made her a delicious egg and potato breakfast. He got her dressed, took her shopping and played with her. 

 

This is my son-in-law’s first Father’s Day. His son is not yet a year old and yet, he has also been there from the moment that baby was born. And he’s diapered, fed, and rocked his son. Today, he set out his ‘Dad’s’ day dinner for his wife and himself while their son napped. 

Everyday Dads. 

My Dad was there for me and he was a good Dad for his day. 

But my children had a Dad who was there for them everyday. And he still is. 

Now, because my children had an everyday Dad, they are there for their children everyday, too. 

Drawing a Blank

I really don’t know what to write about this week. I don’t feel anything profound bubbling up to the surface. Maybe because I’ve already written about one of the most miraculous events in life: birth.

I am so grateful to have 2 healthy, grown children and now 2 healthy, happy grandchildren. I don’t ever take that for granted. I know very well the hills and valleys of childbirth, baby and childhood, adolescence and adulthood. It’s a challenge for each of us, every day. 

Some days are joyous. Some days are not. And some days, maybe most, just fade from sunrise to sunset. Unnoticed. 

I want to notice. 

I want to make sure that somehow, everyday gets my attention. I want to be sure to see the sun, trees and birds. I want to feel the morning air, a kiss or my puppy’s cold nose. I want to hear the water flow in the fountain, sigh of relaxation or even the cry of a hungry baby. And sometimes, even when I need to hear the sound of silence, I want to notice that too.  

As the fan turns slowly above me on this very hot, late summer day, I want to remember the feeling of the air on my skin. I want to notice so I can tuck it away for those cold days when I’m shivering in the wind. 

Silence and noise. 

Last week was filled with beeps and bustle and excitement of a birth, the hospital, flying and driving and finding our way home. It was happily noisy and crowded and a little crazy. 

Now it’s been an opposite week. Unfilled space. Walks under the big fir trees at the park. Cold dinners in the heat. Catching up with all the things I’d left behind. Periods of silence stretched out like a cool blanket for me to rest under. 

And yet, as I rest and catch up, I worry I’m wasting my valuable allotment of life time. But I know in my heart that’s not true. I have packing and deliveries and work in the studio waiting for me. I have grandbaby sitting and doggy playtimes and errands to run.    

Life is so full of stark contrasts. It’s wonderful and crazy and loud and quiet and hard and soft. So maybe, this week, it’s time to celebrate the blank spaces in life.