IIIIIIIIIIII . IIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
it’s white outside the seasons turn and i cannot feel the turn under my feet but my mind incessantly pounds underneath its weight desperately trying to protect the chambers of my heart people walk as if it’s not cold outside but their hands are in their pockets and betray their masks pockets hold a universe of secrets and very few open them and look inside to see if they are lost or if they’re hiding often times, most times, i search for my pockets in public places -marchesa
While watching the Home Alone movies, Elle listened to the opening theme song and noticed, “it sounds like Harry Potter.” (The first time she watched Harry Potter was 2 weeks ago.) So I looked it up and they’re somewhat similar. Observant kid. She always impresses me with her memory. The other day, I was doing one of those adult coloring things on my iphone app- a picture of the Japanese bridge over lily pads by Monet. She looked at it and said, “Hey, we went there!” I was so intrigued because we’ve never been to that actual bridge, but last fall, we did go to Grounds for Sculptures where they recreated somewhat of a Monet painting with the lily pads. I’m so impressed that she remembered such a fleeting image. My little 3 year old’s senses are impacted, and somehow embedded into her brain…a melody she hears once, or a place she’s visited. This is what I was coloring on the Colofly app that Elle saw. This is Monet’s painting of the water lilies. This is the place we visited last fall, a recreation of that bridge and water lilies in the painting.
This morning: Elle: Mamam, you be Elleonai and I’ll be Mamam. Me: ok. Elle: Elleonai? Where’s my iPhone? Me: Downstairs, charging. Elle: When it’s done, I want to use my iPhone. *thinking of ways I can maximize on being Elle, so I say* Me: Mamam, guess what? At night, I get to sleep in the middle. I get to hug Tatay’s (Dad) cold arm and you don’t. Tatay hugs only me, because he’s my love, not your love. *i see elle thinking, looking at me, then replies* Elle: Elleonai…Tonight…You sleep with your Ates (older sisters). You sleep with your Ates, and I’ll sleep with Tatay, MY LOVE, only me. *well played. so well played*
This is our last selfie of 2015. What a year it has been. We took so many trips this year, more than usual, all with different memories to strengthen our family as well as our relationships with the Fabila and Ababa families. We also were able to add three more members to the family- Tita Fritz, and the two cousins- Elaine and Zara. Perze and I continue to be amazed with where our family is going, seeing with each year, new possibilities for our daughters to give a little more of who they are. Aside from their accomplishments in school and outside activities, we’re starting to see their involvement in ministry, seeing their interest in singing/playing their violins during offerings. Emma also has started to show interest in teaching, having had some small opportunities telling bible stories to the younger class or among her peers (she definitely inherited this from me). 🙂 So, happy new year, friends…readers! (This is our first cheesy picture of 2016 together)… We are twelvesixteen strong, by God’s grace. I want to leave you with one thing…wherever you are in life…know you are loved. This world is already filled with too much hatred and ugliness, intolerance, […]
I’m so proud of my young kids for getting through this weekend. Whenever they get tired of having to spend long hours waiting for Perze and me during practices and church events, I remind them that they are ministry kids, and one day they’ll see the value of not always being comfortable or having free weekends. Really proud of how they took care of each other while Perze and I were busy, since Friday, & tonight when we had to bring them to south philly church right after our church while our choir sang. I pray one day they will find the heart for service, and we will be coservants for God’s work.