Category: Family
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Tag! You’re it!
I noticed how j interacts with the boy she likes. Similar to how she relates to Conrad. She is sarcastic, and bossy and uninterested. I wonder of it’s a subconscious thing. For the last 3 years we have had many girly talks, and I am afraid I have inspired them to be feminists through and…
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Siblings
I was 4 years old and my brother Dan Paraschiv was 8. Already in 3rd grade, aware of life’s hardships – he was not a natural early riser and school was in session Monday through Saturday when he first started. Dan was always patient and kind. He protected me and taught me how to write…
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Luca is a gentleman
My nephew Luca showed up with bouquets of flowers for my mom and me, and for Jackie & Ivy. They were shy about the whole deal, especially as he came with a friend, Tobi. I was so excited about the whole thing, because i love to get flowers & because this exercise in gallantry is…
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Family
We’ve taken the peace for granted it think. We often do I think in our society. But we have course corrected with grace, before too late. We enjoyed some new and old stories, and the silence in between. We asked questions and listened intently. If we expect more from others, and offer little of ourselves,…
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white after darkness
When you have a busy social calendar, taking a few weeks off from seeing people feels heavenly. On the other hand, if you long for connection and crave socializing, staying home throughout some winter weeks feels exhausting and lonely. If it was just my husband and I, without any self imposed pressure to make the…
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First birthday of the year
In the year of AI and other algorithms taking over social media, I don’t want to post any memento of my daughter’s birthday, but I want to comemorate it in writing. I seem to have misplaced my purple leather diary, so I will reflect here on a few thoughts about celebrating birthdays. I am not…
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Fast turning tide
We are on top of the world. We have our health. We have each other. The course of life is steady. The kids are safe under our roof. The storm of adolescence hasn’t hit us yet. Their dependence is sweet and natural still. While they dare to brave the new beginnings, the grownup works, they…
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Friendship with adult siblings
As a mom I have intervened with logic between the occasional small sisterly quarrels. For the most part they have been pretty easy in showing kindness and grace and respect to each other. We may have modeled it, we may have encouraged it with words, we mau have prayed for it. But it’s not a…
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Emoții ca semnale
Am avut mereu încredere în emoțiile mele. Pentru ca nu le-am forțat din exterior și adulții au avut răbdare cu mine să mi le înțeleg când eram mica. Când mă întristez, mă îngrijorez sau mă enervez ca și mamă, ascult curioasă ce se întâmplă în interiorul meu. Și orice frică sau sentiment neplăcut își are…
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Motivation
We can do hard things propelled by motivation. Sometimes we assume our motivation is shared by all. But that is definitely not true. Take for example a job. Some prefer a high paying job that comes with a lot of stress. Others prefer flexibility at a lower pay. Some want routine, security, steady income and…
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Ne întoarcem mereu la conectare
Ii dau drumul liber și cu toată inima, cu încurajare si binecuvântare. Fiica mea cea mare care cred eu că mă simte, ca o privesc cu încântare și cu admirație. Devine. Ridica fruntea sus, își înfruntă cu eleganță si seninătate si demonii si fricile. Râde de ei și pășește dincolo. A fost un timp când…
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Off the mountain, back from the coast
Returning to day to day life, to reality – it is hard no matter the age. Kids don’t have the practice of it, though their reality is social and still fun. Not too much pressure – except school and grades and peers. Ivy did not wake up happy. On the contrary. Down turned lip, quivering.…