When you pound on the table
with your left and right hand,
are you striving for attention
as I don't understand?

Clothes are strewn every where
across the bed, upon the chair.
Try them on, toss to the floor,
try something else and try more.
Don't put them away
that's not your chore.

I'm incredibly humbled to have been included in this series on Honest Chatter.

I'd been following Melody on Instagram for some time before we finally met at an event. She's as beautiful on the inside as she is in her photos.

To be surrounded by people like this fills my heart with such joy.

I am proud of you
for you don't complain,
although I'm sure
you have mental pain.
No memory of objects,
no recalling days,
but if items are
missing, you will say,
"Something's not right."
I tell you now. Every day,
loving you this time
is what I must do,
for I miss the lovely you.

I'm so blessed to be surrounded by such an amazing tribe!

This list is comprised of gifts other new moms and I received that made those first few months so much better. Some gifts are more expensive than others. Others require nothing more than time. And, there are those gifts which new moms have given themselves.

But, each one means the world.

We lived in Rainer Beach,
South of Seattle, not far away.
School was starting in a week;
my Mother and I decided to seek,
some new clothes for this one.
That was me, her oldest Son.
We got on the bus, she took a seat.
I sat a few feet behind her,
as she was pregnant
and I was in my teens.
I was embarrassed at being seen with her.
I regret that day and what I did.
Not very nice to my Mother's love.
She never said anything to me,
for she was the kindest soul
I ever did see.
Miss you Mom.

I hear her voice,
in the morning hour.
"Hello, are you awake?
are you in there?"
Then she will ask of me,
"What do I do now?"
She has no memory
of what or how
to proceed with her day.
I explain to her, she needs
some clothes and show
her the way down the stairs.
She no longer puts her pills out
as she used to do, so I do that
now, just for her.
I'll fix her breakfast and a cup
of tea, then I will fix
something for me.

Why do I feel alone at night,
when she lies so close to me?
It's because she knows not my name,
and that is our fate and destiny.

As I sit here, at darkest night;
Memories from years gone by,
About meeting my wife
For the very first time.
It wasn't at a social function
Or in a bar.
My friend, Frank and I
Were in his car,
And tried to pick up these two,
Ellensburg girls. Of course they
ignored us, the two country bumpkins,
From another school. We left then,
Away, in a roar.
I didn't see her again, until Frank and I
Went to a dance, at the YMCA.
The music was playing; we wanted to dance.
I walked over to her and said, "Would
You like to dance?".
She said Yes, my heart did a flutter.
A few dances more, on that glorious night;
It was then I realized that I was smitten.
What a wonderful memory. Remembering, I can
Unfortunately, she doesn't remember at all.
No matter what, I will always recall
That wonderful night when we said hello.

Every mom and every baby is different. But around here, these were the essentials our first month home.

I am losing touch with reality
on this darkening, rainy day.
I'm unsure of this pending finality
and if she will go or stay.

She tells me, "take me to the home,
for that is where I'll be,
the rest of this mortal life;
I'll soon be leaving thee".

At 1:30 AM on November 20th, I stood in a puddle, not quite sure if I’d peed myself or my water broke. The nurse on Overlake Hospital’s Labor & Delivery line had me lean forward a cough. The puddle grew bigger. It was go-time.

Keep reading ->

Our family has propagated this beautiful plant starting with one cultivated by an ancestor a few generations ago. It is now present in our family homes in three different continents where it is admired for its beauty and serves to remind us to be thankful for the family connection it represents.

A perennial plant in the Amaryllis family native to Peru. It can be grown indoors in colder climates. The large white, beautiful and delicate flowers grow in a cluster of three to six on a stem about 15 inches long. Learn more.

Some interesting tips about how to have a healthy, chemical-free pregnancy.