Angels with Paper Wings

"Hold them when they cry,"

I was advised.

A mother's kiss can heal any boo-boo,

I've discovered.

(And if that doesn't help, a colorful Band-Aid will)
Protect them until their wings are strong enough to fly,
Is all I've been instructed to do.
But what advice do you have for me,
When I have angels with paper wings?

Look both ways before you cross the street,
I demand.
Treat others the way they want to be treated,
I teach.
Don't talk to strangers,
I plead.
Go in the direction of your dreams,
I preach.

But how do I protect them from a broken heart?
How do I explain that life isn't fair sometimes?
How do I keep them safe when others want to do them harm?

In my dreams,
I can protect my angels from anything life brings their way.
But in reality,
I have angels with paper wings.

Camp!

She’s gone…for a week! No communication, no texting, no phone calls, nothing! For a whole week! I’m not sure who’s more excited about it; her father, her or me!?!

It still doesn’t hide my worry hat…

No communication! Oh, sure, I can send her letters and emails but I can’t get anything in return. Not even a nod from the camp counselor saying “She’s fine, Mom!” “Don’t worry, Mom!” “It was just a scratch and we took care of it just like you would, Mom!” Nothing, Nada, Zilch!

Wait! Look there, under my arm, what’s that? It’s my party hat!!!

On Monday, July 4, 2011, I will have NO children! We are dropping the boys off for the weekend and my husband and I are going out. We may see a movie…or three! We may go to a fancy (or, not so much) restaurant and order everything on the menu and have drinks to go along with it!! (Uh! I gasp at the foreign thought!)

Let’s be sensible, shall we?! It’s only a week and she probably won’t miss us at all! This week will blow by and, before you know it, we will all be back to our normal selves and all this camp business and worry business will just be a distant memory.

But, while it’s still fresh in my mind – Yes, waiter, I will have another martini!