Just Because:

Honour thy father...

Dear Dad,



I love you, Dad. Today is about the public declaration of that, but really, I adore you every day. Since becoming a mother, I love you even more, it seems. I recognize, for the first time in many cases, what an incredible father you truly are.

Thank you for your wisdom and gentle, soft-spoken compassion. You are my steady rock in a sea of conflict, my touchstone when I need a little bit of "home" and always, always beloved.

"This too shall pass!" has become my very own mantra, learned at your knee, absorbed over the years. Thank you for the reminders and the love that goes along with them.

I have such fond memories of travelling to the Muskokas with you, every summer, usually on your birthday. How we'd sit for ages without talking - and then YOU'D sit for another age, listening to me babble. Funny, that hasn't changed much, eh?

Thank you for being such a loving and wonderful Papa to my boys. Matthew delights in your company and for good reason - you lead by fine example and always include him in your adventures - a trip to the zoo or simply filling a birdfeeder. It thrills me that he and Luke have many more adventures and special times with Papa to look forward to.

Thank for nightcaps and long chats into the night. For staying up too late, and being forced up far, far too early. For good laughs and great advice. For being my friend, my confidant and the kindest man I know.

I am proud and blessed to be your daughter. Happy Father's Day, Daddy.

...

"I like your face, Mummy!"

So said Matthew tonight as I tucked him in. He cupped my cheeks and kissed the very tip of my nose.

Betcha'll heard my heart crack clean in half, didn't you?

In My Next Life...

I'm gonna live and raise my children in a women-only commune.

Carry on.

Just For Today...

A good friend sent this via email. It was exactly what I needed to read, remember, do:

To My Child
Just for this morning, I am going to smile when I see your face and laugh when I feel like crying.
Just for this morning, I will let you choose what you want to wear, and smile and say how perfect it is.
Just for this morning, I am going to step over the laundry, and pick you up and take you to the park to play.
Just for this morning, I will leave the dishes in the sink, and let you teach me how to put that puzzle of yours together.
Just for this afternoon, I will unplug the telephone and keep the computer off, and sit with you in the backyard and blow bubbles.
Just for this afternoon, I will not yell once, not even a tiny grumble when you scream and whine for the ice cream truck, and I will buy you one if he comes by.
Just for this afternoon, I won't worry about what you are going to be when you grow up, or second guess every decision I have made where you are concerned.
Just for this afternoon, I will let you help me bake cookies, and I won't stand over you trying to fix them.
Just for this afternoon, I will take us to McDonald's and buy us both a Happy Meal so you can have both toys.
Just for this evening, I will hold you in my arms and tell you a story about how you were born and how much I love you.
Just for this evening, I will let you splash in the tub and not get angry.
Just for this evening, I will let you stay up late while we sit on the porch and count all the stars. Just for this evening, I will snuggle beside you for hours, and miss my favorite TV shows.
Just for this evening when I run my finger through your hair as you pray, I will simply be grateful that God has given me the greatest gift ever given.
I will think about the mothers and fathers who are searching for their missing children, the mothers and fathers who are visiting their children's graves instead of their bedrooms, and mothers and fathers who are in hospital rooms watching their children suffer senselessly, and screaming inside that they can't handle it anymore.

And when I kiss you good night I will hold you a little tighter, a little longer. It is then, that I will thank God for you, and ask him for nothing, except one more day..............

Soccer Monster!

Matthew played his very first game of soccer tonight. On a pitch, wearing his No. 4 shirt like a dress, shin pads that stuck out a mile and the biggest smile ever.

Wanna laugh so hard you cry? Go watch a team of two-year olds run after a soccer ball.

Hysterical!!

Definitely one of the highlights of toddlerhood - my soccer monster, Monster!