Family

“…You Wake Up, and Time Has Slipped Away…”

Photographs…

…Our only visual link to the past.

Whether our own or even somebody else’s, it’s always nostalgic and delightful to flip through photos,.. identifying people, enjoying scenery or reliving memories from days gone by. Recording life as it happens, time is stopped… frozen forever for another day …to be reopened and enjoyed again.

With todays technology the photographer is provided with instant gratification. With the ability to re-shoot a scene immediately if the first is deemed poor, not a moment of potential treasured memory is lost. Having two hobbyist photographers in my family I am continually delighted as special events are immediately captured.

Rummaging through my albums I smile at the recollections my own photos stir as sleeping memories are awakened. Sometimes every detail can be vibrantly recalled,.. the scent of the air, the conversations taking place, or the laughter being shared. All events are relived again …pleasantly enjoyed once more.

Being left sentimentally satisfied after reviewing the pictorial documentation of my life, it is the photos of ‘old’ where my passions lie..serving as bridges to times unknown.

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March 30, 2008…

Twenty years ago today, my eldest daughter, Jennifer, was born. Like most moms, I cannot believe how quickly the time has passed. It seems like only yesterday she was just a little girl, hostessing ‘tea parties’ and rocking her ‘dolls’ to sleep.

Playing ‘dress up’ was a favorite playtime…transforming herself for her own amusement into the ‘princess’ I already knew she was.

As I watched her grow up into the young woman she is today …a part of me wishes it didn’t happen quite so fast.

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I stopped by to visit you today. A beautiful day, …Spring, at last, being felt in the air. I thought the trees would be beginning to bud, but I think it’s still a bit too chilly. I brought you flowers, though…I know how you found them to be so pretty.

There’s so much to tell you..I don’t know where to begin. I know once I get going I can ramble on sometimes…anybody watching would think I’m just talking to hear myself…but I know that you’re listening. If there’s one thing that I could always count on, it was your undivided attention. You always made me believe that everything I had to say… was of the utmost importance.

The kids are well, …they’re getting older so fast. Time just seems to be passing so quickly I hardly realize it. It’s only when I stop and catch my breath that I’m awakened to each passing day.

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Accompanying my Uncle today on another visit to the Veteran’s Hospital for his regular doctor appointments, I am again reminded of the bravery of the men and women who have and continue to, answer a Call of Duty. As a Veteran of World War II, he, my Dad, and many others, have served their country fearlessly and courageously.

A visit to this type of hospital is an experience unlike any other. American flags, reverently displayed with honor, gracefully adorn the lobby. With tributes to the brave acknowledged everywhere, one cannot help to feel pride and awe for these soldiers, merely by entering the building. Walking the corridors which seem to be ever full of people, I am aware that for every face I see,…there are countless others who have never made it home.

These men and women, who have fought in wars stemming from intolerance, hatred, and terror, …exposed perhaps to indespicable acts of inhumanity, …continue to embrace life respectfully. As brief encounters with these honorable people are met with courtesy and kindness, one can’t help but find inspiration and admiration in their character.

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Although there are Times when Words go Unspoken…

…You are Forever a Light in my Life.

Finally feeling comfortable and more at ease with my daughter living so far away, I don’t worry about her quite so much anymore.

Aware of her adequate ability to efficiently look after herself, I know she is responsibly enjoying her College life. Juggling her friends and the care of her little dog while dutifully absorbed in her studies, my redundant telephone calling had quieted.

Keeping busy, I became oblivious to the passing of time and unintentionally let our communication lapse.

With the receipt of a distressed, informative email, I was abruptly awakened to my negligence in this matter. … Jen candidly expressing her feelings of ‘displacement’, due to what she perceives as my ‘preoccupied’ world.

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As I listen to him speak, I am silently impressed.

This handsome young man, knowledgeable in subject and stubborn in his opinions, …passionately makes his point.

Intently stating his conversational arguments, our opinions again differ…a seemingly common recurrence between us as we don’t often seem to agree. I respect his opinion, nonetheless, and am proud of his enthusiasm.

Lulled by the dialog, I am unable to keep my mind from wandering and drift off into a world of my own. Back in time, …to the days of his youth, …when this ‘little boy’ was the center of my world.

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..The Company of a Child.

My mood (and weather) dictate a big pot of chicken soup should be on the menu tonight.

More unenthusiastic than usual about dinner preparation, I reluctantly drag myself into the kitchen and robotic ally begin the ritual.

In no time, the pot is simmering, ….and my periodic ‘taste testing’ is underway. The first go-round comes up short…something seems to be missing. I absentmindedly add a little more oregano. …it needs more time.

I grudgingly fill the hour with household chores, something there is never a shortage of. I let the dogs out, put on some laundry and check my email. Passing through the kitchen on my way back downstairs, I check the soup again. Still not satisfactory, I add a little more seasoning. Basil this time, hoping that’s what its lacking…

As I traipse around the house, it’s unusually quiet…an oddity in itself. …Why is that I wonder?

A touch of melancholia washes over me and I’m suddenly tinged with sadness. Confused at this unexpected feeling of despair, I contemplate its origin.

Suddenly thwarted in my attempts at analysis, a hungry Zack ‘barks’ me out of my trance.

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… Reluctantly cutting the ’strings’ …One at a time.

It’s always hard for a parent to begin to cut the ‘ties’ that bind them to their children.

As they get older and want to declare and explore their independence, it is a parents concern for their safety,…and a reluctance to let go, even a little, ….that becomes the inevitable glitch.

My youngest daughter is on her way to Missouri to spend her spring break visiting with her sister in college.

Apprehensive at her flying alone, I finally consented, reassured of her safety by more experienced travelers…I admit I am totally green when it comes to flying. Wouldn’t you know it, her flight was delayed and she has been stuck in the airport for 12 hours. Extremely thankful for the abundance of airport security, but nonetheless tense, both of us are relying on banter to see this through.

“Maybe I should blog about this…what do you think?”

“Yeah, you should…’Your favorite daughter is lost in the airport’…”

“You’re not..”

“…Not your favorite?”

“No…lost.”

“…nice save, mom…”

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This Post was written entirely by my 14 year old daughter, Laura, who wanted to write for me today. Upon reading this after she wrote it, I can honestly say she has “warmed my heart” (sniffle)…Thanks, Lau…Great Job! …I love you…Mom

Being a child and seeing my mom deal with her everyday routines I usually have no sympathy for her. Honestly I think, in reality what does she have to deal with? But as I sit here and think about everything my mom deals with…you know, sons and daughters should give their parents more credit.

When you think about, parents have to go to work everyday to support and take care of us. If we have jobs it’s not enough to support ourselves now, or if it even is, we still don’t. For example my mom comes home from a long day at work, trying to instruct people on their exercising routines who may not appreciate the help. Getting home from work and just wanting a little bit of free time, maybe writing a blog or just a little sculpting.

When I return from a dreadful school day I would rather have my space too. But, then I don’t seem to understand her wanting her space. I figure again “what did mom even do today?” I seem to just get aggravated and I become really unfair. I want my space I should just realize that my mom needs space too.

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…When the Birds Leave the Nest.

Well, she’s off again..

My daughter, Jen. ..On her way back to college. She goes to school in Missouri so visits back home are few …and they just seem to go so fast!…Kind of like the way they seem to grow up…so fast! One minute they’re babies, and the next…they’re out the door. ..sigh.

..Children….

I know when they’re young they can sometimes be a handful…OK…always be a handful. You are no sooner sleeping through the night again before they are able to toddle around and get into all kinds of mischief! Toys are everywhere, and “No!” is their favorite word.

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..”Oh, The Changes I’ve Seen…”

Funny how when a child is born, that first Birthday is such a monumental occasion. Invited guests, birthday cake, and presents galore are given to a human being who doesn’t have a clue as to what’s going on.

As time goes on, birthdays’ become a day we’d rather forget than recognize. They become reminders of just how old we’re actually getting.

But eventually we pass into another one of life’s phases as we acknowledge the many years gone by with awe and recollect all the changes we’ve seen. Birthdays become monumental occasions once more.

Today I attended a surprise Birthday Party in New York. My Aunt, my mom’s sister, turned 90!

……90! ….Wow!….. We should all see that Birthday! What an incredible adventure life really is!…

It was this milestone birthday celebration that got me thinking. 1918..such a long time ago…what was it like? How did things change? When did the modern conveniences that we take for granted today, come about? So, I did a little looking and here is an interesting post I stumbled upon..

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