Dallas McBird

Ella McBird bore Dallas McBird,
A child that was quite absurd.

He was a jigsaw piece that did not fit.
He could find no companionship,
Not one little bit.

He wore shoes on his hands and gloves on his feet.
He got strange looks from even the sweet.

Perhaps he could saw off some of his jigs,
To fit into his puzzling digs.

He cut out bits of his what he thought to be his charm,
And it hurt him as deeply as losing an arm.

As soon as Dallas began to conform,
People began to seem much more warm.

All he had to do was fold,
And they all stopped being so painfully cold.

But surrounded by friends he still felt sad,
Dallas longed for what he once had.

Finally, friends, he had a wealth...
But Dallas McBird just longed for himself.

How To Be Thankful

As an average American, sometimes it's hard to be thankful with the knowledge that someone like Joe Francis has millions of dollars and someone like me doesn't even have thousands. Yes we live in a world that rewards debauchery and sliminess rather than those who strive for morals. But I think the reason for that is that you only need so much money in this world. And while the saying, "money can't buy you happiness" isn't exactly true, it is vaguely true. Money can buy you instant gratification, that is the kind of happiness money can buy. But as someone who lacks the funds to acquire instant gratification, I feel like I am ahead of the curve in experiencing that genuine happiness that the old adage is really talking about. Indeed appreciating the genuine bliss that is my life has taken years of practice but I feel like I am finally getting the hang of it.

Having said that, I am thankful that I don't have loads of money. For if I had it, my fear is that I would never go to all the trouble to find that authentic joy that makes me love my life.

Here is my 2009 list of things I am thankful for:

Siblings. I think my brother's are a wonderful gift that were given to me by my parents. My nine year self is gasping with disbelief as I type this but I have felt especially thankful for them this year. I have someone to share my childhood memories with. Someone who understands just where I came from. And in the future, I know two men that will help me when our parents start aging.

My mom and dad. I have two parents that I actually can stand. Not many people can say that.

My husband. He tries really hard to make me happy and make our marriage work. In our first
year of marriage we are working on becoming a team and I couldn't have done that without him.
He is the superhero that fixes what I break. The yin to my yang.

Our son. I am so lucky to have a son that is funny and sweet. Luckily, every so often he still sits in my lap, quietly and still. On those rare moments I fixate my mind on it. I concentrate on the clean scent of his fine yellow threads of hair. I try to memorize his warmth and weight on my body. Then I beg to God that this will be the memory I cling to in my departing breaths.

You're so vain.

I think if I had a vanity plate for my car, it definitely say something like, "lol" or "rofl". Or, "brb".

Just a thought.

Missing out on Temper Tantrums

I started my first day at a resturaunt today.

I was standing at the podium when a little boy about the same age as my son started throwing a rage-filled fit.

All I could do was desire to be with my own little grumpy gus.

Living Under a Toddler Regime

The little one has turned two and things are going to change around here. Changes that he can believe in.

First of all he's planned out a new diet consisting exclusively of "chokit malk" for the liquid food group, cake (...and lots of it!) for the sweet food group and crackers for the non-sweet food group.

There will be new activities for the day too. In addition to mainstay activities like climbing and jumping in the bath tub, he's adding big boy things like "jump jacks" and testing the steadfast theory that dogs and horse aren't so different after all to his repertoire. He's particularly looking forward to the dog/horse experiment. Mainly because he thinks riding Hank, the Boxer pup, would be so much fun. Plus, it just looks so right. He's shaped like a horsey! What more is there to think about?

Also, he's not getting dressed anymore, diapers are sufficient. Besides he gets too hot after all the work he has to do to keep this home in order.

Which brings us to his plan of action. Everyone knows you can't just have a rebellion without a plan. And he has haphazardly ripped his plans straight from the book of Cave-toddler. If there is any defiance to the new order he will retaliate with the following: jumping up and down, screaming louder than ever before (in the ears of the parent if necessary) and the ever menacing arching of the back. If the aforementioned fails, falling to the ground and crying, but don't stop screaming.

This little man appears to think he is now old enough to run the show but little does he know, I am planning a calculating parental coup.

It's one of my favorites.

It must have been some time in '92 or '93. My dad was on the floor playing with Pete. Dad had Pete's bone nuzzled inside his chest and he was rolling on the ground. This delighted Pete. He was so excited that he wasn't just wagging his tail, he was wagging his entire behind and waiting for the pack leader's next move. I imagine Pete felt more privileged to be playing with the pack leader than any other member of the pack. My dad and the dog both seemed really happy. I love to think of that memory. I feel blessed to have memories of my family being happy. I love them so much and happiness is just what I want for them.