Running, flowers and tea.

LJ and I went to the YMCA again this morning, like we do on most mornings.  He was SO good in childcare again.  When I finished running, I checked out a basketball and picked him up.  He was playing again, and this time, he smiled when I sat next to him.  He said "bye" to all his "teachers" and gave a few high fives before we were headed to the court.  We played for about thirty minutes and then headed home.  After lunch, he took a nap.  He normally wakes up about 45 minutes after he goes down.  I used that to my advantage today and cuddled with him for an hour more, both of us falling asleep.  It was so nice - some days you just need a cuddle.  

After we woke, we headed to look for a flower nursery.  My mother wanted to plant flowers in my father's honor - today is his birthday.  When it came time to do it, I'm sure it was tough -- she has an audience, people who will see her and I'm sure the pitiful glances are something she'd want to avoid.  So, in his honor and in hers, ( I have no audience), LJ and I went in search of flowers.  

We found some "impatients" ...I giggled as I thought to myself how that describes my father, ( and myself, truthfully) very well.  They call for shade or part sun, and that's perfect for our little flower basket.  I got a flat of all colors, excited that I will see these, if only temporarily, and think of my father.  My mother pointed out that we have no "one place to go" - my father's ashes are spread in the gulf, so I thought that as I'm far away, this can be my place.  I can create a place for him.  My only regret is that it's not on the little balcony where I placed the bird feeders.  My father knew my love for animals, and sometimes I sense he enjoys those things with me.  It would be neat if both the flowers and the birds were there together.  LJ helped me, we got dirty and we didn't lose our "patience" while planting the "impatients".  Both my father and mother would have been proud as LJ tipped the whole flat over to dump out the flowers...twice.  I know that my father might have lost his patience with me if I did that as a kid while he was planting, but he would have laughed out loud, even on the second time LJ tipped them over.  They both would have loved doing that with us.

After we finished, it was bath time.  LJ has acquired his own little potty, ( a little early, but he's curious), so before he bathed, we put Diego stickers on it.  He enjoys taking the little bowl out more than anything, but I wanted to have his own if he wanted it.  He's been trying to act like he's pottying on the big potty, and when I helped him imitate, he almost fell in.  It's time he has his own, even if he doesn't learn for another year.  It was twelve dollars at Target, and worth it already.  It's his new favorite toy.

So, now I am listening to some music and drinking my lavender tea.  I heard a song today talking about our "defining moment" - when we believe God is all we need.  I had the pleasure of seeing my father in his "defining moment".  I can picture him, sitting in a chair on my front lawn,the wind in his hair and peace on his face, in the face of almost impossible odds.  Good or bad, he was at peace with the eventual outcome.  I don't like when people say, "He lost his battle with cancer".  He didn't lose it - he won, and the battle-prize was the end of the war and his home in Heaven.  We should be so lucky.  Today, and every day, I remember him.  

So, that was our day.  My running on a treadmill, then LJ running to a basketball and my running after him.  Flowers for my father, and for my mother as well - so that she could do it another day when the pain wasn't strengthened by the date on the calendar.  And tea - as most days end, as I reflect on our day,  and on our blessings of which you are one.  Goodnight, and we'll see you tomorrow.

Love,

Jamie