On Being Mommy and Daddy

I am usually so good about sitting down and jotting out a little poem...I have millions of them from high school (all that teenage angst and all. I counted once...my world ended approximately 463 times. And that was just my freshman year.). But I've got brain block. All I can come up with is "You were just two thin blue lines"...and then...crickets. And a bullfrog. I think when I get past today, it will come. Probably while I'm standing in line at KMart and I will have to scribble it furiously on the back of a People. Oh...who am I kidding? I don't shop at KMart. But definitely Trader Joe's. And then it will be all over some biodegradable pulp-less receipt, which will disintegrate before I even get out of the parking lot. But it's not here now and that's what matters. So, I'm going to borrow from a stranger because he seems to kind of get it. And it's a he. The he's never get it. And the record of our son's delivery on September 15th, exactly one week after my 31st birthday. Exactly one week after that is our wedding anniversary. September has suddenly become a very bi-polar month for me.

I can't even tell you how badly I've missed blogging, reading blogs, blog-surfing and commenting on blogs. This week was crazy because of all the jewelry sales...which should not in any way sound like a complaint. But writing is like oxygen for me and it feels like I've stayed under water just a little too long. So, tomorrow night it's back to business as usual. And blogging as usual. I have to tell you, I've been saving up some gems...there is a 911 operator out there who thinks I'm off my Cracker Barrel rocker and I can't write down the Neal-isms fast enough. If he doesn't want to be a featured character in this blog, he sure doesn't act like it. He's got diva written all over him. All he's missing is the tiara. Well, and the hair to hold on the tiara. Also? Guest post coming on Wednesday! Hold on to your days-of-the-week underwear! So, back to our regularly scheduled tales from the fark side and harrassment...er...commenting tomorrow! And now...a message to our son...

"Little One"
by Gary Winters

We had wanted you for so very long,
Or so it must have seemed at times.
Now we know we'll have forever,
To keep you in our minds.

On that joyful day when we learned
That you were on your way,
We opened our home and hearts,
And planned for a permanent stay.

We never saw your smile.
We never held your hand.
You never had your birthday.
How can we understand?

To hear you laugh, to dry your tear
To share your life each day
To see the wonder in your eyes
As you find your rightful way.

We're told we should forget you,
"You'll have another someday,"
Don't they see the pain we feel,
Is bruised by what they say?

We never saw your smile.
We never held your hand.
You never had your birthday.
Someday we'll understand.

Nolan Shepherd
End of May - September 15, 2010

You will always be loved and missed, but we will see you again someday. Until then, Papa and Granny - please take care of him for us.

Love, Ally and Neal