medial // caesura

who said yesterday's post made her sad: Here's D's haircut:  one thousand gifts #36:  barbers/hairstylists who make haircuts special for D I hugged Ben as I helped him out of the van today and whispered I love you in his ear.  He responded with a kiss on my cheek and a smile, "I know.  You always love me."  one thousand gifts #36:  Ben's little arms around my neck, a kiss on the cheek, and a child who knows he's loved After playing with clay yesterday and praising the clay figures crafted by my youngest boys, Knox beamed and said, "This is the best day EVER!"  one thousand gifts #37:  joy in creating Today we planted a seedling in the front yard.  When I told the boys, how proud I was of them.  Knox tackled me with a hug.  one thousand gifts #38:  being knocked over by affection D helped me prepare for Kindermusik today and loved every minute of it.  one thousand gifts #39:  the li...

When your eyes are opened to blessings, you see more than you can count. Today when I woke up, I was not exhausted.  For the first time in a long time, I felt rested ( one thousand gifts #28: waking at 5:50 AM rested).  D communicated that he needed a bath and then stayed on the toilet to use it (one thousand gifts #29:  D's successful toileting and communication)  As I was changing his sheets, Ben and Knox were just waking.  I overheard them playing a game of "Guess Who."  Ben guessed crab, but Knox said that it didn't swim.  To which Ben replied, "Oh yes, Knox, Mommy said one time that crabs swim, but then she said it was more like walking on the ocean bottom."  (one thousand gifts #30:  Conversation overheard) As I was backing out of the driveway to take them to school, I saw blue sky through the side rear windows. (one thousand gifts #31: crayon scribblings on the windows in the van's backseat).  As I drive, I am thinking about ...

Today I received an automated call from my pharmacy reminding me that I will need a refill soon; "a refill reminder" is what the automaton's honeyed voice called it.  As if.  That is one thing about which I do not need reminding. I may forget to pick up the dry cleaning (which in fact I have done:  D's uniform jacket is ready) or I may forget to write a thank you note [which in fact I do need to do--I have the best family in the world--seriously! (one thousand gifts :  #26:  my brother and his family, my aunts and uncles on my mother's side:  Nancy, Jimmy, Mary Helen and Ross AND my aunt who gets a category all by herself because she is just that kind of wonderful fun, Aunt Carole (Jimmy's wife) and my dad's side:  Jimmy and Frances, and Johnny's wife, Debbie.)  All are generous people--generous with their affection, means, time and energy.  I so love my family!]  (The artwork is from a childhood friend's collection.  She is...