My Aunt, Sister Carol Ann reminded me of the legacy my dad has given us, when she told me how she saw great love when he threw Cheerios on the ground.
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My Dad is a man of little words and lots of actions of love. His large tudor style home hosts all of our family gatherings, beautiful inside and out, built on a former nursery lot. Well kept, he does all of his home care himself, working as an expression of love for all who enter.

One holiday as the family gathered around the kitchen table for appetizers, drink and pre dinner chat, my Dad, serving everyone and awaiting my “late as usual” arrival with Jacob-then 1yrs old, took Cheerios and scattered them on the just cleaned floor right in front of the guests. (yes, he cleaned the Read more...

When we adults opt out of important moments in the lives of kids, we rob them, their kids, and ourselves; we are fools to think anything is unseen.

So, the fun began with Jessie in our home.
My oldest son shared his solo bedroom. He no longer sat in the front seat of the car, Jessie did. He had someone older to watch older kid movies with. Sometimes they shared friends and play sports at a more mature level. He moved his role in the family as first born, to some extent. I dont think it was so easy for him. He listened to a LOT more talking than his brothers did. He listened to talking about bad hair days and feeling fat days. He helped her with math. She tells him he is smart, she is very expressive. He learns how to empathize and relate with well chosen words.

I observe kids “loving without agenda” better than adults. These kids did not chose their Read more...

Jessie is in my life one of those wonderful moments, lived on.

I was total “koolaid mom”, lived on a block in suburbia in a 1920′s bungalow with charm all its own, its wooden red door always open for the neighborhood kids to become family with my 3 boys. We had tons of fun: made those tents from blankets and chairs on rainy days, ran around outside with sticks on all days, played baseball in the neighbors yard on nicer days and made stuff from playdough on special days. I made lots and lots of plates of grilled cheese sandwiches and swept lots and lots of crumbs.

Jessie is the only girl on the block, a couple years older than the crowd of elementary school boys; mostly happy that her super high energy and, in her teen girl mind, menacing little brother, was always at my place. She lived at first with both parents, then mom, then grandma, then dad. Troubles in her home the same as many folks Read more...