"Over and Over"- Day 28

He. Never. Gets. Old.

Kissing him over and over is what makes it better and better.

Probably TMI but whatever...

"Every Heart a Song"- Day 27

I named her for my favorite Van Halen song. Lo and behold she was a crier, so it was fitting, as colic was a huge challenge since her father worked at night. I got lucky...my "go to" musician in life had just released an album of lullabies, but many were rock songs turned to lullabies. Linda Ronstadt was my first concert, my first album, and can't think of something I have been through when a song of hers hasn't been on repeat since I was a child. Now, due to the ugliness of disease, she is left unable to sing and is ailing quickly. If you never had the privilege of hearing the tribute to her at this past year's Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony you need to stop and watch and listen, as these talented women represented an icon who couldn't represent herself for her induction. Incredible how one musician can be so much to so many people. This is one of the medleys, but there were some individual acts as well.

Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Tribute to Linda Ronstadt

"One of Us"- Day 26

In working with a family the past two weeks I have been trying to help "Mom A" get linked with services via "Mom B"; it is proving to be a challenge and exemplifies all that is wrong with certain systems and protocols. "Mom A" pretty much trusts no one and has limited time given she is a bus driver with three children and a grandchild, and just lost her mother who was also living with them; the father of at least two of the children is incarcerated. She is not in a place to make calls and figure out what to do, but she is close with "Mom B" and trusts her, and has allowed her to reach out to me because Mom B trusts me. I in turn, with permission of Mom A, whom I've never met, reach out to the people who we are told will support students, and get kickback because none of the children go to our school any longer (irrelevant, they support cluster schools, and I'm not sorry the parent of former students trusts me over teachers where her children have been for four-five weeks). End result? Tell her she needs to call the counselor at one one of the schools. I told Mom B that this is what I was told, and she doesn't think Mom A will reach out...just getting Mom A to say please give my number to the appropriate people was a huge step. End result? It will be another family going without available and highly needed services all because of alleged protocol (you can't tell me the call couldn't have been made and they couldn't have filled out the paperwork together). Yet another reason I may not last until that 30 year retirement date, growing more disgusted by the day. In the meantime all I can do is give Mom A's son as much as I can, which will never meet the needs they have, as she doesn't know where they will live without her mother's income. I feel like I'm losing another one. At the end of the day they are a part of our community, whether they are still in our school or not, and she is a mother with hopes, dreams, fears and limitations, just like the rest of us. Sometimes the paperwork needs to be put aside until that much is remembered. 

Day 25- "Murmur"

Ok...so much for being ahead...but I will still get in 365! 

Mostly

Unheard

Remarks

Maybe

Unspoken

Really would have been a better choice

Sometimes some people just cannot stop themselves...

"Shivering"- Day 24

Me. Year round. Always with an old bed comforter on when lying around the house. Usually his feet are on it when he is in our "green chair" & I have to make him lift them to get it. This weeknd he asked me to come sit with him& had already moved it to "my" spot. Small but very sweet gesture that he was paying attention & sincere. The stupid things that can make your day...

Day 23- "Surprise Me"

Found out that a month from today a special girl in my life is coming home for the weekend and what she has asked for is to spend Saturday with me & my kids like we used to! Not sure yet if my kids know- she's surprising her brother - hopefully she's told my daughter because that will be hard to keep quiet as to why she has to spend the day with me & her brother!

p.s.- found out my kids can know...so much easier that way!

Day 22- "Before Eternity"

I want my children to have loved and been loved. To have experienced the joy of holding your own child. To have found success in whatever they want to do, not just contentment in something that works. I want them to find a reason to laugh every day, and to be kind in all  that they do. I want them to never know hunger or great need but to understand their role in getting to where they want to be. I want them to fully grasp the importance of heritage and generations of extended family. I want them to respect themselves and their bodies, and everyone they meet. I want them to learn from their mistakes and help others when they make mistakes. I want them to know what is real, and what is made to look real. I want them to make their own real lives, true to themselves.

...figured I might as well get a day ahead...