We’ve been putting out some fires lately, in ways many and diverse.Take our most recent family meal as an example.Dinner was fairly late last night—around 8:00 p.m., I guess. (We strive to be like the Europeans in this house.) I was as busy as a mother always is this time of day—passing the fussy baby from sibling to sibling and trying desperately … [Read more...]
The First Meet*
The photo is blurry because the photographer was crying.And that’s what an emotional sap I’ve been.Where are you going, my little one, little one?Where are you going, my baby, my own?Turn around and you’re twoTurn around and you’re fourTurn around and you’re a young [boy]Going out the door.Nanci Griffith (“Turn Around”)How come no one told me that … [Read more...]
On Letting Go and Eating Little Schoolboys
“Can a mother forget her infant, be without tenderness for the child of her womb?” (Is 49:15) The following picture will tell you almost everything you need to know about my oldest child—easy-to-smile and easygoing, cheerful, helpful, outgoing, eager. He is a homeschooling mom’s dream child. And he left for school this morning. (If you … [Read more...]
Head Trauma
~ For Suzanne ~There are some family accidents that you never forget.When Jem was a baby, just two months old, we were living in Natick, Massachusetts. Our starter home was a little Cape Cod—emphasis on the word “little”—but it was home and we loved it.I was such a young mom back then.One day Jem was exceedingly fussy. Nothing I did seemed to … [Read more...]
For the Love of Our Lady
Let me begin by saying that I love our Blessed Mother with all my heart.I have written before about Mary’s beautiful intercession in our family— about her granting us the very birthdays we’d picked for our children, and about the time a statue of Mary smiled at us.Why is it, then, that my outward devotions to this august Queen of Angels are so … [Read more...]
At Least She’s Helping
The girls and I had just returned from the grocery store, laden with parcels that needed unpacking. Angela deftly took the quarts of half & half and buttermilk from my hands and said, “You’re pregnant. You shouldn’t be carrying these.”“Actually, I’m not pregnant anymore…” I replied, following her down to the basement refrigerator with a packet … [Read more...]
15 Minutes of “Minnesota Parent” Fame
A couple of months ago, I got an email from a journalist who works for Minnesota Parent magazine. They were doing an issue on “Back to School” and wanted to include homeschoolers.This issue is currently “on the stands”. Which stands? you’re wondering. I couldn’t tell you. I found my copy in the lobby at our pediatrician’s office.And then I grabbed … [Read more...]
Hey.
My name is Anthony and I’m what my mother calls “a demanding little cuss.”I really like my mom, you see, and am excessively fond of the comfort of her two arms. She is soft & warm & smells like Giorgio.And bacon grease.And spit-up.I like her so much that I don’t even mind it when she carries me about like a football. She claims she needs at … [Read more...]
“Easy” is Easier
We were out of milk for breakfast this morning and so Felicity and I ran to the gas station before anyone else was up. (Remember? My family consists of numerous sleeper-inners.)I like to go on errands with Felicity. She is such a cheerful sprite of a gal—a wee little but and I just love her.Note to Non-Native Speakers: But is a French-Canadian term … [Read more...]
Come Away to a Quiet Place
This morning I got my sad sorry bottom onto the treadmill for a jog. (I know much better than to call it a run.) It was the first time in…oh…Let’s see.When was Anthony conceived again?I blame my current inactivity (read: sloth) in part on some postpartum issues. Simply stated, it hurt to run, and I’m wondering if it was at least partly due to the … [Read more...]
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