Life – Page 13 – The Creative Salad

Parenting from the couch

Here we are, almost a week after I sprained my ankle, and I’m still stuck on the couch, healing, and completely blown away and in awe of the remarkable community we have here in California.

I feel thankful for the support of friends, neighbors and my Leyba loves, who have comforted, carried (literally!), iced and wrapped my ankle, driven me around, cooked for, visited and supported me, providing care I didn’t even realize I needed. Words cannot adequately express my gratitude for your support and care. I feel so very thankful having you all in my life.

Back on the couch front, my swollen, bruised ankle is starting to resemble an ankle again, but I still can’t yet stand, let alone drive. As someone who leads a very busy and social life, I’ve found it quite challenging staying at home and waiting for the action to come to us.

It’s also given me a clearer glimpse into my parenting style. I didn’t realize what a hands on parent I was until this experience. I may like to be in charge, but sitting back and directing is so not for me.

Today is my first day without pain meds, so I hope to be walking again soon…

A Brief Blog Pause

… while I keep my ankle elevated above my heart for 48 72 hours.

Yep, I’ve sprained this ankle again for the third time in two years. I’m less than thrilled.

One thing is certain: I’m doing PT this time.

xoxo from the couch

Saying Farewell, a Sad Nest Update

I’ve been putting off writing this post because I wasn’t sure how to share this gently. In the end I’ve decided to just put it all out there and share the story, as well as my feelings and thoughts on the experience. Here goes…

Remember this nest? Those perfect house finch eggs?

The eggs hatched and baby birds filled the nest. After a few days, however, we noticed that the mama bird had disappeared. Neither David nor I had seen her. By the time we checked on the babies, we were too late. They had, in fact, died. What to do? We decided to bury them in the field in front of our house.

I felt sad about their passing. As a mama myself, I couldn’t help but relate to the situation: a mama bird, because of forces presumably outside her reach, left her babies abandoned, unable to survive without her. This is nature. This is life. As a biologist, I know this. To witness it firsthand on our porch turned out to be challenging.

Our three year old accepted their passing with such grace and acceptance. “They died, Mama. It’s okay. There will be new baby birds.” And she’s right. We talk about life cycles every day. Everything that’s born will die.

As soon as we placed the birds in the field, I started to feel better. After all, haven’t burial rituals evolved to give us comfort? I knew the birds were gone, that there was nothing more we could do. Accept and move on… after all, there will be new baby birds. There will always be new baby birds.

Six Years Married, Eight Years In Love

It seems like only yesterday day that David and I stood atop a windy hill in Boulder and vowed to build a house, home and life together:

“I love being your best friend and companion, your partner in life. I promise to love and respect you; to stand by you, and be faithful; to be open and honest; and to always nurture and strengthen the love between us. Today I choose to walk this path with you always. May our home be filled with love, peace, learning, and laughter. This is my vow to you. Let this be a marriage of equals.”

These six years have passed in a blink of an eye, yet I barely remember a time when we weren’t together.

Look at what we’ve accomplished:

We’ve moved to California and built a life for ourselves in Sonoma County.

We’ve created our daughter and savored being parents, best friends and partners in this exciting journey together.

Whatever challenges we’ve faced in the time we’ve been together, we’ve overcome together, a united front, supporting and loving one another. Outside forces have affected us, but our love has remained true and blossomed.

I could never have imagined I’d love this much or ever be this happy. Our laughter and love bring such joy to my life.

I love you, sweetheart. Each day I feel thankful having you by my side.

Where It All Began (Postcards From New Mexico Circa 2003)

A trip down memory lane…

My husband and I met eight years ago at Thanksgiving Dinner in New Mexico at his parents place. Yes, I’ve known my in-laws longer than I’ve known my husband.

My mother-in-law jokes that it was an arranged marriage.

A return to New Mexico always sets my heart aflutter as I remember the days we met and fell in love there.

A nice place to return to…