The Need to Write

I don't know exactly what I want to say, but I have the need to write.

The kids and I have been studying a lot of poems lately. By express ourselves in poetry, we have been coming up with some of the silliest, non-rhyming lines. We've laughed and laughed. Although sometimes our lines don't exactly make sense and are a little confusing, I am really enjoying hearing the stuff the kids are thinking about. Writing poems ~ or shall I say ~ trying to write poems, has never been one of my strong points. Now that I am teaching my children about poetry, I am feeling more inept than ever. Expression is what it is all about anyway, right?

We may not all turn out to be great poets some day, but we are having fun fulfilling the need to write ~ even if it is somewhat comical.

Little Girls Love Flowers

All the boys were playing on the playground or passing the football. Their voices and cheers dimmed into the background as a magical silence came over me. The sunlight glistened on her hair as she danced around in the bright green grasses ~ my girl picking flowers.

Wild flowers. Nothing special, just some small white blooms that sprinkled the meadow at the park. In her tiny fingers, though, they were treated with reverence. She delicately gathered them up and carried them to where I watched. Carefully she presented the entire bouquet to me saying, "Don't let them fall, Mommy. 'Cuz the wind will hurt them." As we drove home, she guarded them from being damaged by her rather rough brothers. Immediately upon our arrival, the blooms found their way into the glass pitcher and some much needed water. Now they stand regally at my kitchen sink reminding me of how quickly these carefree days of childhood are passing.

Darling little girls love flowers, even common, everyday flowers.

Transplanting Process Allows Growth

For some varieties, dividing and transplanting is necessary for the health of the plant. Parenting through the teenage years feels this way to me. I know that dividing and transplanting our young "plant" is necessary and will help him grow. However, anybody with teenagers can agree with me when I say that "dividing and transplanting" isn't an easy task.

Last night my gracious husband and I sat down to converse with our young man. Our oldest son is almost sixteen. In some cultures, he would be considered a man. By the standard set by most of the young people in our society, he is definitely a teenager that I can be proud of.

Obviously as teenagers become more independant and make more decisions on their own, there's going to be some discomfort in the home. This means that my "mommy side" doesn't want to see my guy grow up. When he makes mistakes, "a-bandaid-will-fix-anything" doesn't work anymore. "He'll always be my little boy" isn't as cute as it used to be either. He grew out of lullabies and bedtime prayers a long time ago. He's grown into the responsible young man that helps around the house because he sees the need to make our home run smoothly. Since he wants to use his time wisely, he stops in and speaks with the manager of a store to ask for an employment application. He welcomes opportunities to reach out and make a positive influence on his peers. He is unashamed of what he believes. He has apparently been listening and learning as we have poured our lives into him.

Although right now, I am feeling the effects of his independance, I know that he'll be alright. I am under no illusion that any of us are perfect or that we always respond the right way under pressure. But I am thankful for a level-headed husband and a respectful young man to make this transplanting process a healthy one.

How awesome that we can all three ~ Dad, Mom, and Teen ~ still sit down and talk life out. Good communication helps our family thrive even through the teenager years. This process of transplanting the young plant really will allow for growth in the years to come.