A Bicycle Built for Three

This week was apparently National Son's Day and National Daughter's Day.  We will put aside the gendered issue of those titles for another deserving time, but the sentiment is understood.  In honor of our Little Man, I felt compelled to write this poem. Ode to Child You made your entrance in unexpected fashion, without most of the usual fanfare. Not that we didn't want to shout from rooftops, but we had to protect our hearts until we knew we could      give them to you forever.         Our first days together ran into and over each other in surreal motion. Without the familiarity of home, we all needed each other as we found our way. Even now, you are unexpected to me -- not just day-to-day, but hour-to-hour or minute-to-minute. Occasionally I hear you chatting to yourself or I catch a glance of you in the rearview mirror as I drive      and am still shocked to realize I am your mother. I love you in a way I didn't know ex...

Recently I had the incredible opportunity to spend a week with Husband in Poland.  It required a lot of help from a lot of special people, and we are so grateful to all of them.  At the risk of sounding like a TV special, here is an oft-requested retelling of a once-in-a-lifetime trip.                                            First of all, as costly as it was I got to briefly live like a superstar and travel business class.  10/10 would highly recommend.    The part I would not recommend is flying through Frankfurt, Germany.  What should have been a leisurely layover turned into a mad dash across a large terminal after various snafus and delays.  Note to self:  even if you filled your water bottle from an airport water fountain, empty it before passport control and security so as not to be introduced to a German police officer who is app...