Life Is Good - 100-word snippet

Life does not always turn out the way you plan. And I have no idea if it would be better or worse otherwise. The list I drew up for myself of things I wanted to do or to learn when I retire includes knitting, swimming, singing, Spanish, French, writing, volunteering as an usher at shows, yoga, auditing university classes, photography, and gardening. I have not done many of them. Instead, I have picked up tap dance and pickleball. Life is full of surprises. I never thought I would have a granddaughter born in Hawaii. But I do. Life is good.

Collage #69

There is snow in the land where Ông was born
And also a magical place called Leavenworth
In that land we enjoyed a taste of their bratwursts
With all-you-can-eat cider apple kraut ‘til your stomachs burst
We learned how to ski gracefully down the glistened slopes
On the soft powder snow that was a March godsend
What fun we had basking under the sunshine
Yet still we bundled up in the chilled air on the mountains high
It is a shame we do not have Bà with us
To glide down the hills together as we did once more
We would love to hear her giggle and say
What a wonderful time we had in the northwest of the USA

Mochi

You are my Mochi,
Baby, and Cầu Vồng
Softness is your cheeks
Sugar’s in your smile
Your coos melt my heart
Your eyes are so bright
You are in danger
Of being squished up
Now I gaze at you
While you are asleep
The swing music stops
Your slumber stays on
I dread leaving you
Missing your next steps
But the day will come
When goodbyes are due
I sure will be back
To watch you grow tall
I will glow with you
When you are happy
I will console you
When heartbreaks occur
I will adore you
Throughout your journey
You are my Mochi,
Baby, and Cầu Vồng
You weave bright colors
Adding joy to lives

Collage #64

Collage #64 is for the period of January through May 2023. It is numbered correctly but was created out of sequence. I have excuses for not creating it earlier. It was a super busy time for us, but then we keep busy all the time. It was a time of a big change for us, but then we have changes all the time. It was a time of adjustments for us, but then we always have to adjust. We moved to a new home. At the same time, our household went from three-generation to four-generation. My mother did not want to move from her home in Virginia to Texas - and if she had to move, she wanted to be with one of her sons. Time settled things down and Virginia faded in memory for my mother who is now facing another change. She has another great-granddaughter in Hawaii. She is now in Hawaii living in another four-generation arrangement. There have been and will be adjustments to be made.

A new beginning awaits us

A step from Castle Greyskull we go

We embark on a journey

Of four generations under one roof

The Hill Country welcomes Cụ 

Our beloved nonagenarian

Who comes to us from Virginia

Over thirty years she’d called it home 

We have learned to love her quirkiness

Just because we adore her so

She enjoys being showered with hugs

She laughs with us on our movie nights

On the streets she walks with us

And comes to our school to tell us stories

Our lives are dearly enriched

When friends and relatives come to visit

At Snake Mountain we gather

And celebrate our lives together

Collage #68

Nine birthdays we had
In the last five months
Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Tết
We observed them all
A baby was born
A cousin we gained
Mama, Cụ, and Bà took off
To the lush rainbow land
To be with Max Iris
Our newest family addition
We missed them at Sealy
But we had fun nevertheless
We were happy to welcome Mama back
And let Ông go visit Bà for a week
He promised when he is back
We would play catch on the street
Or at Armando Galarraga’s place
We can’t wait until summer
When Baby Max and we will meet
In the land of rainbows
Where the best vacations will be had

Addiction

There is a hole in my heart
If I don’t hold you in a while
I long to touch your soft skin
Your adorable and sweet baby face
I love tap dancing you to sleep
Your head is heavy on my shoulder
Your bottom rests on my arm
On your chubby cheeks I land a kiss
When you wake
I watch you stretch and get a thrill
When your gaze happens upon my way
Then when you smile at me
I get a high that
Only you could bestow on me
I am so in love with you
You draw me in
With an irresistible force
What to do now that
I have become addicted to you
But to hold you forevermore

First Month

The first month I am with you
Is the first month of your life
Happiness fills the air
On the journey together we share
I see the changes in you daily
As our bonds get stronger yet
Your cries get me running
Your discomfort is mine
Your smiles get me running
Not to miss adoring your sweet face
Your coos and your watchful eyes
Make flowers bloom in my heart
What a pleasure it is to be
Holding you in my arms
Having you snuggle closely
While my feet work the tap steps
I just learned to dance
I want to celebrate the joy
Of welcoming you to the world
Where the rainbows always shine

A Mortifying Experience - 100-word snippet

I worked for a company that won an award. Our company was at a reception to honor small companies with awards. I was at a table with the big shots of our company, including the CEO and vice president. I spotted a waiter in a white shirt with a black bow tie. I asked him to bring us water. I was mortified when he said, “I am not a waiter!” I made a serious faux pas! At a black-tie affair! I waited to be reprimanded. The vice president chuckled, “I could have made the same mistake.” Phew! I was safe. 

New Year Fireworks from The Rooftop

I fell asleep a few hours before 2023 ended. Liên woke Lan and me up near midnight. She said Bill was tired and was not going up to the rooftop with us as planned. Part of me was lazy and thought maybe I would not go up. Part of me wanted to do it and was afraid Lan would not want to do it without Bill. Lan agreed to go. Lan and I climbed up the ladder and sat on the rooftop, marveling at the fireworks all around us. Liên joined us unexpectedly. What an amazing experience! One to remember.

New Year Wish from Jane

I wish you a year full of surprises; gifts, but those not wrapped; resolutions to old nagging issues; and special moments daily with new friends, exuberant children, cuddling doggies and kitties, and under a tree or knee-deep in a flower patch. I hope we all have a year better than the last, no matter how good the last may have been for you. I hope your expectations of wonder are realized and surpassed. 

Love and hugs, Jane - your sister and friend