hopping into the new year.

"For a long time I was in love, not only in love-I was obsessed...All I wanted was the simple things-a simple kind of life & all I needed was a simple man-so I could be a wife. I'm so ashamed-I've been so mean..."-Simple Kind of Life
By: No Doubt

Today my first issue of National Geographic came in the mail.

I wanted to pounce on it and devour it's contents, but I didn't want to spoil the glory in it. See, NG was the magazine I wanted when I was a kid. In the rare event my father & I were in some waiting room we'd always scout for the magazine. Once in a while my dad would bring me used magazines that he'd picked up on his way home from spot jobs. We'd also rummage around the fleamarket in hopes of finding a few I could look over.

I lived in a room with a bed and a closet. I don't think I ever owned a lamp. I'm sure that was the best thing because if I did have a lamp I imagine I'd have stayed up half the night reading.

Whenever I got the magazines I'd be in a rush to get home so I could run to my room, close the door, fill my cup with kool-aid and read. This continued until one of my parents came into my room, kissed me and tucked me in.

I don't remember when the tucking in stopped.

The tucking in was an indication that we were trying. That we were trying to be sober, that we were trying to be employed, that we were trying to figure out how we got where we were. Children are on board for whatever is happening with their parents & I tried too.

Tonite I put my magazine down on the kitchen table because I needed several long moments to reflect. I'm in my bed with my fat grey critter. The love of my life is singing along to Grease. (Who by the way proof-read my hate mail to my gynecologist-further proof there is no one else on the planet I should be shacked up with.) Once again I'm reminded that I've always gotten more than I think I've given.

All I know is that I'm eternally grateful that in times of peace my parents never forgot to be parents. I'm also superbly thankful to hear Super J's cheeky voice coming down the hall.

Everyone needs to be tucked in; I need to go practice with the furball.

posted by Danna Saunders @ 1/13/2005 09:35:00 PM