Apparently, I am a Landlord

I have a new tenant. She is the nicest one I have had so far.

There is a bird's next in the shrub by the front corner of my house. It has been there for about 8 years. Each winter it degrades a bit, but then a new mommy bird spruces it up and sets up her spot to sit on her eggs for the spring. Usually it is a red-breasted robin.

I love that the nest is inhabited annually. The fact that we haven't completely pushed nature out by our noise and pollution encourages me.

When I have peeked in on the progress of the nest in previous Springs, the mommy robin has dive bombed me, squawking and flapping, thinking I am a threat to her babes. But not this year.

The mom in the nest this year—a beautiful mourning dove, I think—is so sweet and trusting it makes my heart ache. Look at her sweet face. I love the tiny rim of light blue that rings her eyes. I can't wait to meet her babes.

Taking Me to the Edge

Thirteen years ago today I became a mom. At 12:16 a.m. on May 20, 1997 I wasn't a mom. Then some cosmic switch was flipped and at 12:17 a.m. I was a mom. I had no idea what I was in for.

I was never one of those little girls obsessed with dollies who dreamed of being a mom. Quite frankly I just couldn't picture it. Yet my God had other plans for me; first Paulie came into my life, and then together we created Turner.

There is something extraordinary about your first born. They are the one that takes you from the "before" version of you to the "after" version of you. I can't imagine my first child being anyone else but Turner. He is my limit-testing, boundary-pushing, curious, energetic, sensitive, talkative, goofy, and so-so-so loving big boy. He loves to figure things out...from how to make a bird house out of tape to helping his dad assemble or repair anything (often figuring out just the solution to make it all work perfectly). He has an emotional depth well beyond his years (and quite frankly not often found in his gender) that makes him an extraordinary friend, brother, son, grandson, etc.

The challenge of parenting Turner is often the joy of parenting him. I find that when I am in the process of helping him to become his best self, I am at my best. It is a rare and precious gift he gives me.

So this one is for my Big T on his big day...Happy 13th birthday buddy. Thanks for taking me to the interesting edges of life on a daily basis. I love you more than my tongue can tell!

—Mom