Having recently gone through a growth spurt, Cait was in need of some new clothes. So off to the Mall we went. We always concentrate our efforts in this one particular store, because we always have good luck finding cloths that fit and that Cait will actually wear.
The tradition is to make our way around each department — shoes, pants, tops, etc.– until, at the very end, we come to the fancy dress section. This is where the fun … Read More
When I was young, I was quite shy and never liked drawing attention to myself. One of the ways this manifested was that I spoke very softly. My wonderful father was bothered by this trait and took it upon himself to remedy the situation. Anytime I spoke, he’d interrupt and insist that I speak more loudly.
Interestingly, this constant reminder to speak up did not have the effect of making me speak louder. Instead, I’d step closer to be heard … Read More
Ever go through one of those times where you wake up in the morning to find a truckload of manure in your driveway? You didn’t order it. You don’t need it. You can’t return it, because the midnight interloper has left no forwarding address. And you’re not going to be able to get your car out of the garage until you get the pile moved.
What’s a person to do?
Why, read a book and plant a garden, of course.… Read More
Time flies when you’re having fun. And Cait has been having loads of fun with her little boy. Hard to believe he’s one year old!
Our very first meeting.
Wink (then named Casey) was a little shy and oh so tiny.… Read More
Cait came into this world with extra helpings of compassion and empathy. It doesn’t take long for people to discover this about her. And it’s not surprising that her friends frequently put her in the role of confidant and mediator. But it’s a role she often finds stressful — she worries about the responsibility of remaining unbiased and fair.
That’s a tall order for an emotionally mature adult, never mind a 13-year old caught in the throes of trying to … Read More
… could figure out how to crawl inside her skin to be that much closer, I’ve no doubt he would!
This is how the two of them sleep every night. Face to face. Breath to breath. Heartbeat to heartbeat.
It’s a love like no other. And I can’t believe that Cait has finally found it. It’s been a long time coming. So long, in fact, that I wondered if she’d ever get to have the experience.
All it took was … Read More
One of the ongoing battles I have with the modern world is how it works so hard to rob our children of their childhoods. I’ve fought a good war on as many fronts as I’ve been able — protecting my daughter when she’s needed protecting, and encouraging her to move out to meet that world when she’s given the signal that she’s been ready.
Sometimes knowing how and when has been glaringly obvious. Like knowing that Cait can’t handle watching … Read More
Cait, knowing we had a long drive ahead, led with her standard question as soon as we pulled out of the driveway, “So, Mom, what should we talk about?”
Feeling more than a little frazzled and grumpy from a ridiculously hectic morning, I said, “Give me a minute.”
I concentrated on unfurrowing my brow, loosening my grip on the steering wheel, and taking a couple of deep breaths.
“Okay,” I said, looking over at Cait. “Now, what was it you … Read More
