More from the Graduation.....

Thoughts from my 9 year old....

Sunday night, sitting on the bed, Connor came into my room kind of somber and this is what came out of his mouth (nearly word for word) my son is a very deep thinker, an old soul.....

Mom I was just thinking, about how I have all these nice things, nice parents and good friends, and the animals that live on earth that I think that are cool. I think about how the pioneers settled the land for us and how all the army men are out there risking their lives so that we can be free. (tears streaming down his face) Our earth is so nice. I don't like construction guys who build 5 star hotels and ruin the habitat of the animals. I think about these things all of the time. Im happy that Thomas Edison made the lightbulb so that Im not afraid of the dark. Mom where are our ancestors from? I said England and Denmark, and Scotland. Do we have any Native americans in our family? "no i reply". So then Im not american? Well you were born in America so you are American. "but my heritage isn't". (Deep thoughts) His sweet thoughts had Ashlee and I in tears. Such big things to be thinking about at 9 years old. Im touched by his gratitude and realize that he is paying attention to big issues.

Im not sure if its a Martindale thing or if others say "Oh I have to wake up at the butt crack of dawn." Connor said recently, "Mom we shouldn't say that anymore." "Why?" "Well, grandpa Martindale's name is Don and when you say "the butt crack of dawn" people will think we are talking about his butt crack. Haaa. his brain is a curious thing.

THE GOWN

I will never forget the day....July 8 1991. My belly was bursting, I thought she would never come out. Was it possible to be pregnant forever? Once she arrived I thought she would never grow up, at least not all of the way.  But the minutes turn into hours, then days, months, years, and one day......They come home with a shiny square cardboard hat carefully covered in the school spirit colors and a gown to match.  I brought her home from the hospital in a gown, a sweet little layette in cotton candy pink pastel. I loved her little gowns, she wore them almost everyday. They look like infants longer in the layette gowns.. As I was ironing the polyester grey gown of graduation, I couldn't comprehend how 18 years had slipped through my fingers. 

When a baby is born, they cut the cord because the baby no longer needs the blood supply of the mother. But there is an invisible cord that takes it's place, You can't see it or touch it, but every mother knows it's there. I know that It's time to set her free, but this kind of cord cutting hurts much worse than the labor pains. There is also the extreme joy that is so much like the joy you feel when you meet them for the first time. Once a mother, always a mother, and then a grandmother and if you are graced with a lot of good years, then you will pose for the 4 generation photo as great grandmother. Ashlee, congratulations! As the good book (dr. seuss) say's, you have brains in your head and feet in your shoes, you can go any direction you choose!!

Whatever the path, I will always be here with my not to be humble opinions, and love that will span the circular time of past, present and future!! You make me proud Smashlee!! 

Wheheww!!! class of 2009....We both made it. (My twitches have almost stopped)

P.S. we never grow up all the way! That's what makes life so sweet.