Beautiful Boy

Beautiful boy, I’ve asked you not to grow.

In fact, I’ve insisted, but still those seeds you continue to sew.

Once again you ignore me,

As if my words hold no weight.

Don’t you realize that even with all my skills,

Time is not something I can manipulate?

I need to hold these days protected in my mind,

They are already sealed tight in my heart,

When you hug me with all your might,

And tell me we will never part.

I watch how your charm can light up a room,

With followers everywhere you go,

Amazed by your ability to love without hesitation,

I simply need to know,

How I was blessed to have you skip into my life,

And teach me what it means to live,

To let go of fear and dream bigger than ever,

And when faced with misfortune, to forgive.

I know you said I can’t call you my little boy any more,

But to me you will always be,

The thump of my heart, the melody in my voice,

And the little man of my destiny.

Happy 8th Birthday to My Beautiful Boy!

My Heart on a Platter

When we planted the seed that became your life,

I constantly questioned who I thought you’d look like.

I wondered if you’d have my hair,

Your father’s perfect teeth,

Or your sister’s glare.

Would you have a serious nature

Or a silly little way?

Would you meld into our family

The same as night touches day?

I prepared myself for the mystery,

Of who you’d really be.

And what parts of your genetic history,

That we’d all be able to see.

Yet, what came as a surprise

Was not the looks you were bequeathed,

But the heart that beamed right through your skin

And the beauty that resided beneath.

How could I have ever known

The little man I loved before I met,

Would grow into an abundant joy,

And wash away all fret.

With a nature so loving and giving,

And a  kindness you simply can’t hide.

With your sense of humor unmatched,

I am often filled with pride.

I never feel more loved,

Then when your arms wrap around my heart.

You are the most precious blessing,

And this bond can never part.

I am continuously amazed by your wisdom,

Of a world you share with me.

And am honored to be your mother,

When you show me all I can be.

Happy 7th Birthday to my J Man!

Regroup, Reframe, Relax

With the week I just had, I needed to re read this and thought perhaps, you do too.

Sometimes I notice I am holding my breath,

And feel myself exhale.

A simple measure of relief,

Making my mood less pale.

This breath I seem to hold inside,

Is full of life and hope,

Anxious to make its way in the world,

Becoming my means to cope.

As the air moves across my lips,

I release the internal tension.

Oxygen soon becomes my elixir,

Each breath rolls into my pension,

Of tranquility and ease,

Companions in my quest,

To bring strength and balance,

To moments I claim my best.

The permission to allow myself,

To just let it all go.

With every exhale an inhale is gifted,

No matter how fast or slow.

I remind myself with these simple breaths,

My emotions need not be so taxed,

For the key to living this life of mine,

Is to Regroup, Reframe, and Relax.

I Vote, Therefore I Rhyme

Brought my little man with me to vote,

We stood in line for a few heartbeats,

Waiting for my thoughts to be heard,

And wondering who would take the seat,

To look out for us,

To do what’s “right.”

To keep us protected,

And be firm in their plight,

Of making tough choices,

That are best for most,

And intuitively knowing,

When to slow down or coast.

I want to believe in my country’s laws,

I want to believe that corruption is small,

I want to believe my taxes are well spent,

But my faith it seems, often hits a wall.

So I will continue to focus on what I CAN do.

Treat others with respect while following my heart,

Teach my children strong values,

Of always doing our part,

In building strong communities,

And being kind to those whom our dislike is great.

For they are still a part of our world,

And kindness has way more power than hate.

Thank you great country, for letting us be heard,

No matter how quiet or loud our voice,

We are united in our love of freedom,

And how we use it, that’s still our choice.

I Am Imperfect

I am Imperfect.

I talk way too much,

And often too fast.

I’m sure others wonder sometimes,

How long will it last?

I yell at my kids.

I have laundry all over the place,

I’m a half decent cook,

But my baking, a disgrace.

I lose interest in things,

That don’t keep my attention.

And with my ADD as bad as it is,

It’s not even worth mentioning,

If you have a new haircut,

Or a book that you like,

I won’t even notice,

If you drove up the road in a car or a bike. (not exaggerating)

But my heart is filled with desire,

To find the good in the bad.

I can see the light in the darkness,

Even if it’s only a tad.

I won’t tell you how to fix your world,

But I’ll show what you need to see,

And when I think you’re good to go,

I’ll retreat behind the trees.

I am weak at times,

But I am in love with life.

I believe our strength is the most treasured gift,

From wisdom found in our strife.

I am Imperfect.

And so very happy to be.

Because if I had it all together.

No one would want to hang out with me.

Thank Goodness I Have You

Thank goodness I have you,

To make me feel sane.

To listen without judgment,

Always easing my pain.

For laughing at my mistakes,

For telling me all will be okay,

For opening up the door,

When I’m tired that day.

Thank goodness I have you,

To share my life’s woes,

And for giving me new shoes,

When I keep stubbing my toes.

For pushing me forward,

When I’m on the right path,

And for standing in my way,

When I’m a victim of my own wrath,

Thank goodness I have you,

To remind me of my success,

And for leading me back,

When my motivations digress.

For keeping me flexible,

When I’m sure I can’t bend.

Who would I be without,

My amazing friend?

Thank goodness I have you,

For without You, there’d be no Me.

And a world without Us,

Would be an empty place indeed.

Little Big Boy

Little boy, you stole my heart,

The first time I heard you cry.

Hearing your breath so loud and clear,

As if your soul let out its first sigh.

Before we met I wondered aloud,

If I had enough love to give,

But the moment I saw your beautiful face,

I forgot how I once had lived,

Without this love I felt for you,

With the empty space you filled,

Who on Earth was I before

This garden of life you tilled?

You made the sun shine brighter,

And the rain dance when hitting the ground,

You made the clouds look like angels,

And the birds sing with a glorious sound.

You gave to me a purpose,

You’ve showed me who I am,

You’ve helped me dream in color,

As only my little boy can.

And now as I watch you sing and laugh,

Your extraordinary life away,

I don’t know how I lived before,

You taught me how to play.

Little boy, you stole my heart,

The first time I held you in my arms.

And now that you are my little, big boy,

With your endless giggles and charm,

I hold you tight whenever I can,

Before you get away,

And smother you with kisses,

Hoping that you’ll stay.

But soon enough, before I’m ready,

You’ll be my little, big man,

Stealing the heart of someone else,

As only my little boy can.

Happy Birthday to my little, big boy, J-Man, the happiest boy who ever lived!!

Regroup, Reframe, Relax

Sometimes I notice I am holding my breath,

And feel myself exhale.

A simple measure of relief,

Making my mood less pale.

This breath I seem to hold inside,

Is full of life and hope,

Anxious to make its way in the world,

Becoming my means to cope.

As the air moves across my lips,

I release the internal tension.

Oxygen soon becomes my elixir,

Each breath rolls into my pension,

Of tranquility and ease,

Companions in my quest,

To bring strength and balance,

To moments I claim my best.

The permission to allow myself,

To just let it all go.

With every exhale an inhale is gifted,

No matter how fast or slow.

I remind myself with these simple breaths,

My emotions need not be so taxed,

For the key to living this life of mine,

Is to Regroup, Reframe, and Relax.

Clean Up!

Clean Up Child,

At first I used a “Please.”

But the amount that you keep whining,

Has my patience seized.

Your stall tactics,

Have a lot to be desired.

If you plan to go into a career of sales,

And think that you’ll be hired,

With your cunning smile,

We know your kind.

Hiding your mess,

In every crevice you find.

You can do it,

I know you can.

Pick up your mess,

And you won’t be banned,

From future play,

And friends in our home.

If only you’d get it together,

And stay in the zone.

I’ll be your cheerleader.

I’ll pat you on the back.

I’ll commend your efforts,

And stop giving you flack.

Just clean up your toys,

And get it done.

Before the garbage,

Steals every last one.

The Smelly Kid

“Did you brush your teeth?”
They hear me ask,

Knowing full well,

They’ve avoided this task.

“You need to take a shower,”

They hear me say,

The grunting gets louder,

Which always leads to delay.

“Are you hoping to catch a rodent,

With those unkept claws?”

As I question if their fingernails,

Are too long for their paws.

They whine and complain.

How dare we want them kept clean?

Enforcing good habits,

And normal hygiene?

Do they want to be dirty?

Does water repulse them?

Avoiding the faucet as if

Cleanliness creates mayhem.

Is it too much to ask,

That they are not the smelly kid?

To appreciate soap

And not become livid,

When asked to keep clean,

And manage one’s own sanitation,

A fair request indeed,

To ensure their own liberation.

Oh little dirty ones,

We will not go away,

The reminders will be ongoing,

And our insistence here to stay.