Silver Lining to a Rough Day

Today has been a bit of a rough day with Lavender.  She is teething and has been crying and wanting to be held most of the day.  Finally, she wandered off and was playing contentedly.  Then I discovered that she was keeping busy by pouring a bottle of soy sauce on the kitchen floor.` When I called the kids in to see it, she threw herself down for a tantrum.

After the mess was cleaned up (thanks to Evan and Marianne) and our mini-monster was nursing peacefully, I found this poem on my phone.  I wrote it several weeks ago, but never posted it because I wasn't satisfied with it.  Today, it seems perfect.  At least compared to crying, messes and tantrums! 

Moving Out

Exactly one month ago 

She took her first steps.

Now she walks,

Almost running 

Ready to take on the world.

She listens and points at

Airplanes and birds

Dogs and motorcycles

Or the front door creaking

When her family comes home.

She enthusiastically tastes

Homemade green smoothies

Dandelions and rocks

Crayons and birdseed

Testing her tiny new teeth.

She  waves and shouts

"Hi" over and over

To our friends at church

A neighbor walking his dog

And the homeless man at the park.

She climbs with gusto

Up the stairs or footstool

Over daddy in search of his phone

Bouncing onto the trampoline

Into our arms for a snuggle.

She explores and discovers

Each exotic location

Like a world traveler

Observing the locals

And learning their ways.

We follow behind,

Savoring each moment 

In our hearts and with our camera

From a watchful, yet

Ever increasing distance.

Taken the day I wrote this poem.
She figured out how to pull the string on this bunny using her teeth!