Adeline is 3

The things she has taught me in her 3 years of life, are not easily captured. No one has ever loved me the way she does. So simply, purely, almost urgently. What a miracle for my heart to be carried by hers, so delicately. I carried her in my minds eye for so long, sometimes I still can’t believe she’s here, holding my hand. Other times I can’t believe she’s just three years young, all that fire and wisdom in her soul. She’s far more fury and delight, persistence and grace, attached yet independent, then I’ll ever know to be, by her nature and astute reading of the world. All I know is I’ll be here loving her, learning from her, and letting her boss me around…as long as she will have me. My girl on fire, happy 3rd birthday. Shine, soar and love with that beautiful soul. Our whole worlds are brighter with you. And please, always hold my hand. I love you, with my whole heart.

A Simple Sign

A simple sign. They made it together in a constructive, partnered moment. Vincent wrote. Leo consulted. They taped it on together, Leo’s small hands on only the bottom piece. Vincent doing the rest. Staking their claim on their own little corner of a crowded world. While putting Vincent to bed, he noted ‘this was a great project for us to do today.’ Always the caretaker, and Leo’s legend. I kissed him goodnight and then had a good, tired cry. Yes, over this sign, Vincent’s writing and saintly patience, Leo’s adoration and awe. Love comes to us in so many ways. So does childhood simplicity, like bedroom signs, brotherly love, and the magic of a marker bin left within reach. Sweet dreams, in your magical Sports Room.

Baseball Battle Scars

Those are baseball stitches engrained in his devastatingly handsome face and cheekbone. A solid tango with the ball on Saturday, and a lot of luck and intervention by a guardian angel perhaps, left him with just a solid black and blue palette and shiner.

8th grade picture day image…you will always have a story to tell.