Afghanistan, mostly!

Glimpses

Having children really puts a lot of things into perspective. If you look closely, you can get a glimpse into your parenthood. These glimpses, of course, can be totally endearing or horrifically terrifying. I've had glimpses before. Like the time that I saw Trinity smoking an asparagus. Or when the cable went out during a storm and she said, "What the flug?" Or when I got to her daycare one day and was pulled into another room because she blurted out, "Dammit" when she didn't get a seat during musical chairs. I've also seen her gather another child in her arms and tell them that they "will work through this together" as she wiped their tears. I've heard her say, "It's not okay to fart in public" to a classmate. By paying attention, you can get an idea of how you are doing, parentally speaking of course.

I got another glimpse just last week. I had decided to quit smoking (uh-ghee-in), make my workout routine more aggressive, and start yoga (uh-ghee-in). On Sunday morning, I rolled out my yoga mat and blew the dust off my DVDs. I did it for about 20 minutes. Although it says for beginners, I do remember it kicking my butt before. It kicked it again. I sat down out of breath and watched the rest of the session.

After lunch, I came out of my bedroom to find Miss Trinity in the living room with my mat on the floor, the DVD playing, and her performing the moves better than I. I sat on the sofa and watched. I was so proud of her. After she finished, she turned to me and said, "Namaste'." How sweet!! Now, I know that namaste' means many different things in different contexts and situations. But, my favorite is, "The light in me honors the light in you." Trinity's light was honoring mine by mimicking what she had seen me do several hours before!!!!!!

After she finished, I told her to get dressed (Mr. Lee was doing yoga with no shirt, she felt like she should, too) and let's go get her her own yoga mat. I guess the clarity gained by her yoga session caused her to not care about her ensemble. She put on hot pink, biker pants; a muscle t-shirt; her St. Patrick's Day green, cowboy hat over her big, Diana Ross hair; a foam sword; and one yellow gardening glove. As I bolster her creativity in any capacity that she shows initiative, I let her go to the store dressed as she wished. (I took my camera in the event of an impromptu photo op.) But, I guess the absurdity of her ensemble kicked in before we got inside. She put the glove and sword in my purse. She tried to get me to wear the hat. I told her that she brought it in. She could wear it. She didn't wear it. She kept trying to hang it on he sword that was protruding from my purse.

Namaste'

Zen Moment

I adore Margaret and Helen's blog!! Adore it, I say!!! The below is a post from one of the regular commentistas, Honolulu Sally.

"Here’s a zen moment from a friend:

If you can start the day without caffeine,
If you can always be cheerful, ignoring aches and pains,
If you can resist complaining and boring people with your troubles,
If you can eat the same food every day and be grateful for it,
If you can understand when your loved ones are too busy to give you anytime,
If you can take criticism and blame without resentment ,
If you can conquer tension without medical help,
If you can relax without liquor,
If you can sleep without the aid of drugs,

…Then You Are Probably The Family Dog!

And you thought I was going to get all spiritual."

My nephew. My soldier. Hours before he deployed.

Fly Eagle

My best friend in this wide, beautiful world breezed through town yesterday to see Trinity and me on her way to California to begin a new chapter in her life. She moved back to Arkansas from California to care for her elderly mother. Her mother passed away around Thanksgiving last year. There was no longer a reason for her to stay. She is 20 years my senior. Yet, our lives have taken such similar paths.

It was so good to see her. We talked non-stop for the entire time that she was here. When she got into her car to leave, I hugged her and told her that I loved her. As she drove off waving, I didn't feel sadness to see her go even though I do not know when or if I will ever see her again. Instead, I felt the excitement of her new journey. It takes a lot of courage to pull up stakes and strike out on a quest for a new life with your future completely uncertain. It takes more courage when you embark on that endeavor alone.

I watched her until I couldn't see her car anymore. As I turned to go back into my house, I whispered into the wind, "Fly Eagle".

Inertia

Well, we are back in Arkansas. We have moved back because my mom was diagnosed with Fibromuscular Displaysia of the Carotid arteries.

An invaluable lesson witnessed by my astute, extremely intelligent little girl: The outcome to a set goal may not be as you planned or hoped. But, you have to have the courage to try.

The above pictures were taken at the Honolulu airport when we were leaving. She was more than ready to go, as you can tell, to see my mother. LOL!!! Doesn't she look so cute???!!!

Par for the course

I was waiting at the corner of University and Dole for the light to change so that I could cross the street.  Several others were waiting as well.  The light changed and the white light guy appeared.  I stepped into the street and almost got hit by a bicycle.  I've almost been hit by a car before but never a bicycle.......