quotes

"Mama I know, let's go upstairs and play with all my new ideas!"

 And, when I tried to snuggle him on the couch this morning, he said:

"Mama, keep your hands to yourself."

Late thoughts

Again last night, just blocks from my house, another young black man was shot and killed. I didn't hear about it on the news - but then I drove past another impossible vigil on the street - young people holding candles in a circle- flowers and stuffed animals and crosses and balloons on the spot where he died. When I drove home past it a few hours later the candles and balloons where there alone. Dozens of candles just burning on the concrete. It's a strange feeling to be so close and so distant. Young people are getting shot within blocks from my home on a devastatingly regular schedule - but i'm not afraid and I'm not suffering the losses. I just watch it happen and imagine other people's heartbreak. There's got to be more of something for me to do than just witness this.

Seven things Xavi recently said

While playing with pipe cleaners -

XWRK: "Should we make a princess?"

Mama: "What's a princess like?"

XWRK: "Big and round like a circle."

While walking past our friend Aline - who was wearing a skirt, tights and knee high boots -

XWRK: "Oh I looove your brown legs."

At dinner -

XWRK: "Can I have some beer?"

Mama: "No."

XWRK: "Can I have some wine?"

Also at dinner -

Mommy: "What are the pink birds called?"

XWRK: "Pig birds"

Mommy: "No PINK birds. They are the color pink."

XWRK: "The pig - the pig has friends."

Mommy: "Xavi are you in your own special world right now?"

XWRK: "Should we do laundry?"

On his way up to bed -

XWRK: "Mommy I have one can and one jar."

Mommy: "Oh. really?"

XWRK: "Yes. One can and one jar. It feels good to have them."

editor's note: He has neither can nor jar.

Also on his way up to bed -

XWRK: "This is my home, where I play, on Jefferson Street, in Seattle."

Also on his way up to bed -

XWRK: "NO!"

Doubles - Moms and Religion

Xavi is developing his awareness of his two mom, two religion family. He announced that the chicken in his book has two fathers - and answered my follow-up question - "How many moms do you have Xavi?" With a definitive, didn't-skip-a-beat, "I have two. Two moms."

He sat up in bed last night, after reading the "My first Channukah" book six times, and said "Mama, Where are the Macabees?" I told a rambling story about the jews were sad when they lost their temple and Judah the Macabee who saved the day. He furrowed his brow and said again, "WHERE are the Macabees?"My story didn't cut it, apparently. I should leave it to the actual Jews in the family. He did also say "It's Holidays. We hear music. Christmas lights. I celebrate Channukah with Nana." So he's getting the idea.

What are you doing for me Mama?

Xavi's been asking lately - "What are you doing for me right now Mama?" He doesn't mean to be demanding, I don't think. Just figures if it's going on - it's probably for him. He's probably right. I think about this sweet little kiddo who snuggles in between me and couch pillows - and tells a story about his new discoveries every day - and think then about the Moms whose kids are getting shot. There was another shooting next to Garfield High School a few hours ago - just 7 blocks away. Another kid rushed to the hospital. We heard the sirens and hoped it wasn't what we feared - but it's in the news now.

There were moms out there holding candles within the hour - from the Mothers Outreach Movement. They were no doubt trying to be the consoling and calming force that Moms are always trying to be. Ironically, the Seattle Times says that the victim stumbled into the Community Center - where a group of kids preparing an event focused on the impact of violence on their lives were traumatized once again - by a wounded, bleeding 18-year-old collapsing in their midst.

It makes me want to hug my kid more. And it makes me want to support the MOMs who are taking a stand for their kids.