You Make Yourself Clear

My sweet, you made clear that my job and the job of all other caregivers in your life is to safeguard your freedom, to run a pipe cleaner through sticky avenues so that you can continue to be exactly who you are. We are not here to change you, to add to you, to put external things in, to cure you, to mitigate differences. We are here to clear a path for your you-ness and to help others recognize the value of such you-ness.

You are an example for any and all of us who concern ourselves with judgement in the minds of others - which is truly all of us. Be who you are, do what you love, be confident in your own cleverness. That's what I call free.

Happy 7th birthday, my true and free Addison. I do not know how I came to deserve you, I know only that every single day I feel like I got away with something.

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Staring FreeGirl Addie, Pop, Cate
Cameo appearances by:
Megan, Maddie, Bowling Alley, Daisy Troop 32XX, the Atlantic Ocean, Rosie, Mrs. Opelt's Class, Caden, Natalie, Inclusive Playground Campers, Audrey, Waterpark, Madeline, Carl, discarded lampshade, hotel entertainment dude, shadow, Rossi, Grace, hula hoop, Adelia, Hope, Addie's drum kit and rockin' sticks o' rhythm

As I Was Told

Mom.
Shoes.
Now.
Go.
Grandma.
Cat.
Again.

Addie's longest message communicated to date, signed to me yesterday, swiftly and clearly with 100% faith that her audience would understand and comply.

What could I do?

I got her shoes and took her to see Grandma's cat again.

I did as I was told.

It All Started with You

You made me a mother. You turned "Michael" into "Dad." You led us through the boot camp of parenthood and tenderized us for the job. You make clear to us that there is beauty, hope and promise at every turn, that it is up to each of us to pick it out and savor it, to let other things fall away. I could not get through a day without you - an effervescent sprite sent to sprinkle her smiles and joy dust on everyone while reminding her mother what matters and what does not.

Sweet Catriona, I don't think I'll ever be able to find words for what you mean to me, what a remarkable young lady you choose to be.

But I'll keep trying.

Happy 11th birthday, my love. The way I see it, the beauty around you begins with you.

Make an on-line slideshow at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Kids in the Summer. Nothing New Here.

All photos taken by Cate, 11 yrs old. Her assignment: snap a good sample of what happens at Inclusive Playground Camp. These are just a few...











FJC: So, Cate. Thanks for taking the job for this one day as observer. You were my eyes today. What does happen at Inclusive Playground Camp?

Cate: Uh. Playing, running, crafts, games like Mr. Fox, jokes. I don't have any pictures of the craft time because I wanted to do that, too. They let me. We made this cool sand art where part of it is sticky and you -

FJC,interrupting: Child, do you remember the question?

Cate: Ah, yeah. What happens at Inclusive Playground? [shrug] Same thing that always happens at Playground Camp. Just more kids.