Standing on the Precipice
I teeter
My head floating up
I catch my footing
As red pebbles slip
Sailing down, down
Like a dream
To the bottom
From which I climbed
I feel drawn into the canyon
My body dizzy and weak
I want to relax and fall
With the pebbles
It’s easier than pulling away
Fighting the cold zing of wind
Drying the sweat on my spine
And calling me below
Hair whipping my face
I look up to see streams of light
Piercing clouds heavy with liquid
Grey and blue against an orange sky
It’s been a long day climbing since dawn
I breathe cold air into my lungs
Muscles aching, I could not have climbed anymore
Could not fight the rocky canyon
I look horrified at the depths from which I came
Suddenly, a steady wind blows up
A warm breath washing over me
Sustaining wind
I know I will not fall.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Mommy Marketing
Mommy Marketing
We are strong proponents of Mommy Marketing in our home. My kids need a “master of the obvious” to state the wonderful truths of mom’s virtues on a regular basis. When they ask for juice and I give it to them, I like to say every once in a while, “There you go, here’s your juice. Don’t you have the most wonderful Mommy in the world? She must really love you to give you that juice!” This probably fits within the need for parents to help kids draw the categories of their world.
As an adult, we feel like only unsolicited compliments matter; that if we fish for them, we have somehow nullified their validity. But my kids, and I suspect many kids, weren’t born knowing how to share their love verbally with others. In fact, sometimes I think that developmental stage where babies do not distinguish between themselves and their mother lingers on long into childhood. Mom has always been there and it is impossible to imagine life without her. She always gets my juice, reminds me to pick up my toys, gives me a bath, etc. So, expecting gratitude without pointing out the fact that mom exists is unrealistic.
So, we market mommy around here, hoping to teach our kids how to feel and show gratitude, love and appreciation, not to mention boosting Mom’s mood which seems to help the rest of the family tremendously!
We are strong proponents of Mommy Marketing in our home. My kids need a “master of the obvious” to state the wonderful truths of mom’s virtues on a regular basis. When they ask for juice and I give it to them, I like to say every once in a while, “There you go, here’s your juice. Don’t you have the most wonderful Mommy in the world? She must really love you to give you that juice!” This probably fits within the need for parents to help kids draw the categories of their world.
As an adult, we feel like only unsolicited compliments matter; that if we fish for them, we have somehow nullified their validity. But my kids, and I suspect many kids, weren’t born knowing how to share their love verbally with others. In fact, sometimes I think that developmental stage where babies do not distinguish between themselves and their mother lingers on long into childhood. Mom has always been there and it is impossible to imagine life without her. She always gets my juice, reminds me to pick up my toys, gives me a bath, etc. So, expecting gratitude without pointing out the fact that mom exists is unrealistic.
So, we market mommy around here, hoping to teach our kids how to feel and show gratitude, love and appreciation, not to mention boosting Mom’s mood which seems to help the rest of the family tremendously!
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