For Your Soul
My time is not my own,
my space is shared,
and the things I watch or listen to,
all skew toward my children’s tastes.
Sometimes that frustrates me,
that I cannot just read a book,
watch a movie, or listen to music
without considering the little pitchers.
Sometimes it’s amazing
to share a perennial favorite
with a brand-new audience,
and feel its novelty once more.
Sometimes it’s eye-opening
to see what I take for granted
as miraculous or difficult,
or just plain unknown.
At other times it is all things at once
frustrating, amazing, inspiring.
I am a mother
I contain multitudes.
~Caitlin Mallery
For Your Eyes
“Percy Jackson and the Olympians” has us hooked each week. The protagonist being a 12-year-old boy with ADHD is particularly appealing to my 12-year-old boy with ADHD.
He even looks like the actor in the series. Thankfully there are no mythological quests on the horizon for him. Just the very normal quests of navigating middle school (which is probably just as perilous as a Greek adventure).
For Your Ears
During a recent snow day, my daughter, Saoirse, and I decided to make an acrostic Taylor Swift Playlist corresponding to our names. It also includes Lucia’s name for good measure.
For Your Taste Buds
Feeding toddlers is not always easy, but can also be loads of fun. My toddler’s favorite snack is “Sparkle Bread”, which is toast with peanut butter and sprinkles. She is also fond of “breakfast cakes” (pancakes), and “juice” (Dr. Pepper). Leftover cold pizza is preferable to hot, but she loves hot soup, slurping the broth and leaving behind the body of the soup.
For Your Nose
Again with toddler sayings, “I’m running my nose.” (have a runny nose)
During the freezing weather, she said it was “winding and darking”.
Whenever I or one of her siblings is upset she will jump and say, “Hey, it’s ok. Can you take a deep breath?”
For Your Body
Jewelry is one of the most interesting ways we express ourselves and also communicate with others. A wedding ring indicates information about one’s status as a couple. Other pieces of jewelry can indicate religious affiliation. Some pieces are connections to the past (I have my grandmother’s wedding and engagement set) or related to a specific heritage. Other pieces are a reflection of personal taste and values. What is your primary jewelry? Do you have pieces of personal significance?
I got my ears pieced when I was nine years old. And my nose was pierced about six years ago, I think. It had to be re-pierced, due to a child (not mine) nearly yanking it out. Both times led to a wild sneezing fit, the like of which the piercers had never seen. I think I just have sensitive sinuses. Do you have any piercings beyond your ears?
"Winding and darking" is an amazing phrase (and image!) Would make such a great piece of a poem.
"Winding and darking" is amazing.