Hopes And Dreams

If we were having coffee, we would be indoors. It’s raining here in Seattle. It’s not cold, just wet. You would have to help yourself to a drink before settling in as I have a baby in my arms! I drove up here on Tuesday morning and was handed a baby as soon as I got in the door. The rest of the time has been filled with holding him, feeding him, and lots of burping! Mati is four weeks old. He’s quite alert for four weeks. I think I’m spoiling him. He’s been attached to me almost all day, every day. I got to be his first babysitter, too. His mommy and daddy had tickets to two soccer games this week so they got a couple of nights out and I got this precious little boy to myself.

This past week has been filled with shock and sadness in the world. Being here with this tiny, innocent little boy has helped me both empathize with that grief and sadness and also get through it without totally falling apart.

As Mati sleeps in my arms, I’m reminded of holding his daddy in my arms when he was this age. I’m reminded of how much simpler the world was; how much less hate, fear, and danger we faced. I am also filled with hope and dreams that Mati’s world will be a better place; that he won’t have to know the hate and intolerance; that he will be in less danger when he grows; that he will live in a world that embraces all mankind.

I’ll be driving home to Portland tomorrow. I’m already missing this little one and wondering when I’ll be back to see him. I’m lucky that he’s only a three hour drive away from me. Hopefully that will translate into frequent visits.

 #WeekendCoffeeShare is a weekly blog linkup hosted by Diana at Part Time Monster Blog. Come join us!

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Rats and Dogs

My daughter, Tina, was born in a Rat year according to the Chinese lunar cycle. According to some things I have read on Rat people, perhaps Tina’s charm, passion, and charisma is due to the characteristics of her Chinese zodiac sign. I’d rather like to think it’s because of me and what I’ve taught her but perhaps it’s also due to the influences of the lunar calendar. So the beginning of this post begins with a pass at the Chinese New Year, today being the start of the Year of the Rat.

I really should be discussing my son, Tony, not my daughter. Today is Tony’s 26th birthday! He’s anything but a rat. He was actually born in the Chinese lunar year ruled by the Dog and some of the characteristics he shares with other Dogs include loyalty, patience, intelligence, and straight forwardness.

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