My Nicholas

My son Nicholas Christian was born on January 30, 1999. A happy healthy baby he surely was. He was a very different little guy, he had an easy smile and barely cried except if he was hungry or needed a diaper change. He was so alert and into everything that his brothers were doing he was always watching watching and mind you having a 2, 3 and newborn is no easy task. His brothers adored him and were always bringing him little toys much to his joy and happiness. He was such an easy mannered boy. We only had him 3 short months when he was torn away from us by Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. SIDS, Crib Death, or Cot Death. He died on May 8, which was the day before mother's day. I can't remember much about that day other than my family being there and eating chicken fingers. Talking to UNYTS on the phone, visiting the hospital and being met by a nurse and a priest. That's all I can remember about that day and the days following. I remember the funeral home and the amazing amount of people that came to support us, to hold us, to be with us during that time. Now, 14 years later the feelings are still fresh in my mind. Time does not heal all wounds. It just doesn't. People tell you get over it, don't wear your heart on your sleeve. You can't imagine the things I've heard from co-workers, people I've met and talked to  and people that have come in and out of my life in the last 14 years. The pain is worst around holidays, around his birthday, the first birthday he never had the first Christmas. Mother's day though supposed to be a day of joy is not always for me. I didn't celebrate it for many many years after. When my children were older I did it for them. I still do it for them and not so much for me. My husband tries to make the day as joyful and memorable as possible god bless him for it. But in the night the memories sneak back into my mind stealing away my joy. Now on his birthday I light a prayer candle, on mother's day it will be lit as well. To remember, to help heal, but never to forget. His little life mattered. It always has....It always will. He will forever be my son, my angel, my guardian, my guide.

The 12 Days of Christmas 21st Century Style

The 12 days of Christmas 21^st century style

On the first day of Christmas the tech genius sold me

A flat screen 3d TV.

On the second day of the Christmas the tech genius sold me

2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3d TV

On the 3^rd day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 3 Ipod touches

2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3d tv

On the 4^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 4 wireless remotes 3 Ipod touches

2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3d tv

On the 5^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold me Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 ipod touches, 2 blu ray players, and a flat screen 3d TV.

On the 6^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold to me 6 Digital Cameras, Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 Ipod Touches, 2 blu ray players, and a flat screen 3D TV

On the 7^th Day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 7 DSI’s, 6 Digital Cameras, Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 ipod touches, 2 blu ray players, and a flat screen 3D tv.

On the 8^th Day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 8 4g cell phones, 7 DSI’s, 6 Digital Cameras, Playstation 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 Ipod touches, 2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3D TV.

On the 9^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 9 Bose Sound systems, 8 4G cell phones, 7 DSI’s, 6 Digital Cameras, Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 ipod touches 2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3D TV.

On the 10^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 10 Wii Remotes, 9 Bose Soundsystems, 7 DSI’s , 6 Digital Cameras, Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 ipod touches 2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3D TV.

On the 11^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 11 Xbox 360’s, 10 Wii Remotes, 9 Bose Soundsystems, 7 DSI’s , 6 Digital Cameras, Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 ipod touches 2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3D TV.

On the 12^th day of Christmas the tech genius sold me 12 wireless Netbooks, 11 Xbox 360’s, 10 Wii Remotes, 9 Bose Soundsystems, 7 DSI’s , 6 Digital Cameras, Play Station 3, 4 wireless remotes, 3 ipod touches 2 blu ray players and a flat screen 3D TV.

Mikey's Dinosaur (A Cautionary Tale)

Mikey’s Dinosaur A Cautionary Tale

Mikey was a special boy.

Who brought many people lots of joy.

Mikey  loved all his toys

As do all little boys

He loved his trains, planes, boats, and trucks.

He even loved his little ducks

But the one toy he loved more

Was his favorite orange dinosaur

It was his very special friend

And Mikey loved it to no end

He took it here

He took it there

He took the dinosaur everywhere

One day when he was at super mart

He left it in the shopping cart.

Mikey cried

And sighed

And almost died

Until Mikey and mommy took a ride

All the way back to the grocery store

To find his missing dinosaur

They looked in between the tomatoes

And moved each and every potato

They looked here

They looked there

They looked and looked everywhere

Mikey ran down the cereal aisle

And wore a very happy smile

For Mikey’s dinosaur was there in style

Sitting on the cereal shelf

Mommy laughed in spite of herself

Mikey picked it up and hugged it tight

And put it in his pocket just right

Then to the car with leaps and bounds

Mikey ran across the ground

And Mikey would not cry no more

So if you take your dinosaur

With you to the grocery store

That while you have your best friend there

Just remember and beware

Of  Mikey’s little orange dinosaur

Who got lost at the grocery store!

Song about Healthy Eating for kids

To the tune of “This is Halloween”

Fruits and veggies of every style

Sitting in the produce aisle

Potatoes and radishes

Carrots and chives

Makes me grow and helps me thrive

These are vegetables

These are vegetables

3 to 5 servings

3 to 5 servings

My oh my what else do I see

Other things that are good for me

Oranges, grapes, and pineapple too

Yummy things that are good for you

Fruits are wonderful

Fruits are wonderful

2 to 4 servings

2 to 4 servings

Then we visit every aisle

Sampling all the foods in style

Milk and cheese and yogurt to

Make your teeth and bones strong too

Cheese and Dairy

Cheese and Dairy

2 to 3 servings

2 to 3 servings

Then next comes my favorite aisle

Breads and cereals every style

Cheerios, Oatmeal, noodles, and Flour

All to give your body some power

Grains and cereal

Grains and cereal

6 – 11 Servings

every day

A new spin on an old favorite

Good night Technology

Good night Playstation

And remotes

Good night games

And RC boats

Good night Xbox

Good night Wii

Good night to my plasma tv

Goodnight Kindle

Goodnight nook

Goodnight to my beautiful Netbook

Good night keyboard

Mp3 player and guitars

Goodnight electronic blinking stars

Good night to my Ipad

Blu ray player and dvr

Good night favorite satellite radio of ours

Good night to technology

Good night to state of the art

Good night I’ll see you when the new day starts.

Crazy Christmas Carols

My Iphone Died

(to the tune of Jingle bells)

My Iphone Died My Iphone Died

Now I am just a mess

I lost my apps and MP3’s

And all of my address ‘es

My Iphone Died My Iphone Died

It’s a sad thing to see

I can’t read my favorite book or even watch TV 

Some Assembly Required

(to the tune of The Holly and the Ivy)

Oh the directions to the toys

My kids got under the tree

I’ve turned them every

Which way up and down

They are driving me crazy

Slot a does not fit into

Slot b or c or d

but if you turn it upside down

It fits perfectly

Then I take the truck out

Of the packaging

I need a screw driver

Wire cutters

And a sharp knife possibly

Now we move to Barbie

Though she’s built perfectly

There’s still the swimming pool

And guest house not to mention

Her special Christmas tree

Oh Christmas you are over

But there’s no rest for me

I’m stuck assembling

Toys with directions

Written in Chinese…….

The unfinished dog

The Unfinished Dog

         As I sit at my desk my eyes keep wandering to a small unfinished wooden dog. It was carved by my great uncle and you can see the knife marks so carefully made by trembling elderly hands still sure of their work. He’s one of many carvings that he made but this particular one came to me after he died. It is a metaphor for his life, imperfect but still beautiful. But whose life is perfect? I know mine is not. Even with an imperfect life one can still see the beauty in these little things like this dog. He was carved in such a playful stance head down tail in the air like he was ready to play fetch with his unseen master. It’s a reflection of his soul; he had the heart of a child and a smile for everyone he met. He was quick with a joke and loved fully and unconditionally. He loved fire trucks and took joy in all the people he met.

I put down my pen and pick up the little dog. As I turn him around and around in my hands I look at the carve marks etched into the wood, wrinkles on an aged face. Creases from the laughter and smiles he shared through the years. His texture is rough, like the hands that carved him. Hands worn from years of farming and working the ground, fighting fires beside his brother firemen, and directing the traffic as the years took their toll.

           To think that something so imperfect yet so beautiful came from a simple piece of wood amazes me. How did he know what to make? Did he see this little dog somewhere, maybe playing in a park with his master or a memory of a childhood pet? What was the dog’s name? What breed was it? Was it young or aged? These questions fill my mind as I rub the blonde wood with my thumb and smile at the memories of his life.

           His life spent in a one room school house in winter and in the fields with his brothers in the summer. Spent fishing in the creek in his free time, carving beautiful things that he would bring to my great grandmother to bring her happiness. He brought everyone happiness his life long. Even when he was so deaf he couldn’t hear he would speak very loudly and his blue eyes would twinkle. Who was a perfect match for my aunt, a beautiful woman who spoke her mind but who loved fiercely and would fight to the death for her family should they ever be slighted. Together they made order of chaos and help shape young lives through their church and the fire department; amazing people who embodied all the love that was, is, and ever will be. I can feel that warmth as I hold this small wooden wonder in my hands. I know it is the heat from my hands but I can’t help but think this uncommon warmth comes from somewhere else.

I put the dog down next to my computer. When the day’s frustrations get to me I look at it and smile, just as he did. With a smile and a twinkle in my eye I continue my work. I can’t help but think he’s in heaven smiling knowing his small creation is bringing me such joy. He always shared these little carvings with his family, his friends, and at the local county fair where they brought joy to thousands. He would sit with my aunt at the carvers building right up until he died first teaching then talking. Telling jokes, guiding the young, and always there when I would visit. Their warm hugs and his huge smile were always there to greet me. After they died it was never the same visiting that building without them there. As I walked through that building I couldn’t help but imagine how many of those carvers there used techniques taught to them by my uncle.

As I get up from my desk after a long day I look back at the dog and I start to pick him up to put in my purse to take him home. Then I pause, kiss him gently, and put him back on the shelf above my desk knowing that when I come back the next day he will be there waiting for me as one last blessing from my great uncle given to me to bring me joy in a place where people forget that there are little things in life that are so much more important than deadlines, paperwork, and cost-cutting. It reminds me to take joy in the little things and if the big things were meant to be they will come. This I learned from a man of great faith, his amazing wife, and a little wooden dog, unfinished, and sitting on a shelf waiting to greet me at the dawn of a new day.