temper tantrum

arms and fists flailing on the floor
screaming at the top of his lungs
“monkey movie! monkey movie!!!”
we hadn’t even started our grocery shopping yet
he was mad not to get the movie he wanted
people were now starting to turn there heads
curious at the commotion
I picked him up and walked out of the store
determined not to give in
his older brother followed
by the time we got to the car
It was as if nothing had happened
he was calm and smiling
sweat apparent on our brow
completely exhausted from the ordeal
we looked at each other
and in unison said
“what just happened?”

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heaven on earth

the room is dark
except for the glow of embers
from the fire place and
strands of colored lights on the
Christmas tree
the dog sleeps quietly on the hearth
a mother gently rocks her newborn
she watches her young son
navigate through the land of Zelda
his father cheers him on
for this one brief moment
time seems to have stopped
there is this deep sense of peace

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a turning point

when I came home from work
he was waiting for me
dressed up and ready to go
I got out of the car
and he came over and kissed me
I was taken by surprise
his mood had been so gloomy
for such a long time
he said he was sorry
that he realized his darkness
was affecting everyone around him
he promised to try hard
to make it better
and for a while it was
that day is etched in my memory
as one of the most beautiful
surprises of my life
that he was able to realize
what was happening
and that he wanted to heal

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holding on

they told me I would lose my baby
to go home and prepare for the inevidible
I was completely devastated
I shut myself off from the world
my neighbor who had several miscarriages
told me to not to give up hope
not until there was absolutely
nothing left to hold on to
so I started picturing him being born
instead of dying
by my next visit
he had a strong heartbeat
the doctor was amazed
and validated what I already knew
that I would again be a mother

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first touchdown

I was there to see it
I heard them call his name
even though the game wasn’t over
I could feel his excitement
he actually did it
he made his first touchdown
in high school football
after the game
we went out for pizza
his whole team was there
I thought for sure he would want
to sit with his team
why would he want to sit
with his mom and little brother
to my amazement he chose us
we relived the play over pizza
Just the three of us
while his team was celebrating
at the next table
he didn’t even look their way
he just wanted us
I will never forget that night
It was pretty awesome

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moments to cherish

it’s friday night
no work, no school, no rules
we turn up the music
mom lets down her hair
and we dance for hours
we dance through every room in the house
from the kitchen to the dining room
to the living room and back again
even the dog is caught up in the mood
playfully racing through the house
we dance until we are exhausted
collapse in laughter
and cherish the moment

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