Where does the time go?

Exactly 13 years ago, she came into this world.  She was quick to come out and greet the world with her tiny cries and rosy cheeks.  The youngest of the three, and yet, the longest and heaviest at birth.  Daddy was the first to hold her, look into her eyes, and fall in love with this little girl.

The icing on the cake

Quick to come

tiny cries

rosy cheeks

all dressed in pink.

In daddy’s arms

warm and safe

a new love born,

the icing on the family cake.

13 years have come and gone,

the baby toys have disappeared,

and her room has changed.

She can’t be carried in our arms

but she can curl beside us

in our bed

and look up with the eyes we met on her birthday.

She is still the icing on the cake.

Happy Birthday, Maddie!

The New Challenge

Yesterday our school launched our first-ever month long writing challenge.  Since it’s our first year, the invitation was extended to our 4th and 5th grade students(12 classes).  We created a school blog, invited the students, the principal showed the site to all the students, and we crossed our fingers.

Would they accept the challenge?

 

By 4:00, there were over 20 responses.

By 5:30, there were over 50 responses.

By 10:30, there were over 100 responses.

They were hooked!

Some students came to school this morning asking for more direction on the site, and excited to write a new post.  One of our teachers began the morning meeting by posting a slice as a model for the class.

I can’t wait to read, what I am sure will be, over 100 new posts today.

 

Final Post for the Challenge

I love the traditions of Easter.

Everyone dresses up for church in new clothes.

Enjoy the service.

Get together with family for dinner.

Watch the kids enjoy the Easter egg hunt.

 

My oldest came home for the weekend, so I took advantage of taking a family photo in our backyard.

 

 

Happy Easter!

Near the end

I can’t believe we are completing the month long challenge.  It has been such a pleasure reading so many posts from so many talented writers.  I have taken away so many stories and ideas for future slices and I am hoping to go back and try catching up on some of the posts I was not able to read during the month.

This was my 4th year participating in the challenge.  I always look forward to the challenge for several reasons:

1. It holds me accountable to write every day.

2. It makes me become more vulnerable as a writer when other people read my writing.

3. The feedback I receive is always appreciated and inspires me to continue.

4. It takes me out of my comfort zone.

5. I connect with new friends and reconnect with friends from previous years.

Congratulations to everyone that participated in the challenge.

 

My Morning Surprise

This morning as I walked towards my car, something caught my attention in the front yard.

Where did it come from?

When did it arrive?

I didn’t put it there, but there it was to greet me, as if to say, “surprise!”

Upon closer inspection I noticed that there were more friends waiting to greet the day.

They look like little purple polka dots adorning the yard.

I can’t wait to check for tomorrow morning’s surprise.

It’s time for eggs!

Purchase the eggs.  Check √

Fill them with candy.  Check  √

Begin searching for hiding places in the backyard.  Check  √

Baskets for the kids.  Check  √

Camera charged.  Check  √

Can’t wait until Sunday to see the smiling faces.  Check  √

Those mirrors!

Today, I had to go and buy a new dress for Easter.  Normally I don’t mind shopping but when I have to shop for a dress, that’s another story.  I browsed through the store and saw some pretty dresses on the manequins.  I took a few in different sizes and headed to the dressing room.

Why are the mirrors in those dressing rooms so cruel!

One was too small, one was too large, not enough room in the hips, too much belly, not enough to fill on top.  Oy!  I wanted to leave and forget about the whole thing, but I knew I couldn’t go home empty-handed and I definitely didn’t want to do this again tomorrow.  So, I enlisted the help of my daughter (only 12) and she made sure I left the store with a dress that fit just right along with all the accessories to complete the look.

When did things change where I now need my 12 year old to keep this grumpy dress shopper focused?

Bath

She hides.

Her ears go down when she hears, “bath.”

In the tub she goes.

She looks up with sad eyes.

She tries to escape but knows she’s defeated.

Wrapped in a towel, she knows what’s next.

She scurries but settles on the towel

as the familiar sound of the dryer fills the room.

She puts her head on my lap and looks up at me

as if asking how long ’till it ends.

It’s over and she’s clean and fluffy.

Out the door she goes, frisky and free.

Now, I look in the mirror and the one

that needs a bath is me.

What is a friend?

This morning I received a call from a friend

who was in the ER last night.

She may have lost a child she carried.

So I hurried to care for her responsibilities.

Some would ask why I would do that.

Why wouldn’t I?

How couldn’t I?

Shouldn’t we help when someone is hurting?

Shouldn’t we weep when a friend hurts?

The Hat

There is sits

in my closet

filled with his scent.

Whenever I want to feel

close to him again,

I go

and inhale

the smell

of his favorite cologne

that still faintly lingers

and the memories

flood my mind.

And I smile.

The hat.

Abuelos hat.