Letter to our children

June 26, 2007

Dear Kyle, Billie, and Tia,

When you were born, never in our wildest dreams had we imagined how you would fill our hearts with joy, and more than a little chaos.

When we got the call from St. Peter's to bring two of you a change of clothes, never in our wildest dreams did we picture you so badly injured.

While recovering in the hospital, never in our wildest dreams did we imagine how gracious and considerate you could be to the nursing staff when you were so miserable yourselves, now how amazingly thankful we would be in the middle of the night to have Billie's quiet voice mumuring in the background to soothe her sister or brother.

When you got back on your own feet, never would we imaginge how it would bring tears to our eyes.

I know that we have already said it a dozen times, but you three have been amazing models of grace under fire.  We are so grateful for these past six months, and the support you have given to us and to each other.  We are exceptionally proud to call you our children.

All the love in the world,
Mom & Dad

Buddist Teacher Thieh Nhat Hanh

When you plant lettuce
If it does not grow well, you do not blame the lettuce.
You look into the reasons it is not doing well. 
It may need fertilizer, or more water.
You never blame the lettuce.
Yet if we have problems with our friends or our families, we blame the other person.
But if we know how to take care of them, they will grow well.
Like lettuce.
Blaming has no positive effect at all, nor does trying to persuade using reasons and arguments. 
That is my experience.
No blame, no reasoning, no argument....just understanding.
If you understand, and you can show you understand,
you can love and the situation will change.

2005 The Favorite

Out Walking
God said "You're my favorite"
And I replied "But Billie's the favorite"
And God said "That's right.  She's my favorite.  And you're my favorite"
Wrap my mind around the words.
I'm the favorite?
And so is she?
How can that be?
"It just is.  You are my favorite" I heard these words clearly
I thought of Tia
My jealous one.
God said "I'm like her, and she's my favorite.
I too am a jealous one, and I want all of your attention
Because you are my favorite"
Wrap my mind around it.
I am the favorite one
Billie the favorite one
Tia, the favorite one
Kyle the favorite one
He, the jealous God, who wants his favorite
To pay attention
to him.

Letter from Margo while sitting for the hawes boys

Dear Donna
I miss you.
I hate teenagers.
The little weinies are delicious.
The flowers are gorgeous.
So are you.
You have wonderful children.
Work is going well.
Susie's bathtub is superb.
I hate teenagers.
The living room looks great.
Hope you had a nice time painting.
I need sleep.
When can we go to coffee?
I hate teenagers.
I love you.

Apology to my brother

Letter to my brother for his birthday, accompanied by a half gallon jar of quarters

Sept 7, 1999

Dear Larry,

When I was a child, I behaved as a child.

Remember when someone stole quarters out of your jar?
And you had the thiefs fingerprints outlined in red crayon on the gallon jar in the window on the bench behind the table? 
And then you went off to a boy scouts meeting? 
And while you were gone, the fingerprints inside the red circles mysteriously disappeared? 
And you just knew that it was me who had stolen the quarters?
And we had court proceedings to determine if I was guilty or innocent (once I was found sobbing in the linen closet)?
And I got Dad as my attorney, Mom as the judge?
Remember how I was found innocent after swearing I had never touched your stupid quarters?



Well.  I lied.

blue sky

Awoke this morning to rain
dripping from cloud covered skies
although by the time I reappeared to the day,
bathed, dressed, damp haired
the sun had driven off the clouds
sky blue and sun streaming across the room
Cheerful, this blue sky
blue, almost Colorado blue
can it stay around long enough
for my Billie girl to see
that blue sky exists in more places
than just Colorado?