on SEEING WITH THE HEART

"Here is my secret. It is very simple: It is only with the heart that one can see rightly; 

what is essential is invisible to the eye." The Little Prince

Switching my computer off, and leaving it in another state for two days, helped me remember what's important.

Running with them in the park, joyous smiles spread across their little faces, helped me remember what's important.

Playing scrabble, my favorite Halloween movie on in the background, my phone silenced, helped me remember what's important.

Sitting across from my favorite human, marveling as he took the same words from earlier, and shook them around like real-life boggle, spilling them back out in front of me until it all made sense, helped me remember what's important.

Weaving through the aisles of the grocery store together, continuing our life long conversation in a way that only best friends can know, helped me remember what's important.

Seeing updates on Facebook as a friend was losing her dog, my heart breaking for them, helped me remember what's important.

Watching as she went to help even though she was already tired and would have preferred to relax, helped me remember what's important.

Taking a cab across town, to a part of Manhattan I rarely encounter, just to give him a hug goodbye, reflecting on the great lessons he taught me the whole way there, helped me remember what's important.

Resting, instead of working just-a-little-more, helped me remember what's important.

Hearing the crunch of leaves under my feet, navigating our way through the pumpkin patch, helped me remember what's important.

Watching as he stretched out his body, relaxing, trusting, knowing he is safe here, helped me remember what's important.

Sharing my truths honestly, instead of covering or worrying, and having them received with love, helped me remember what's important.

You never know when you're going to get a boatload of lessons delivered to you. Might as well stay open just in case.

ON Babies & Target & Shoes, Oh My

Last Saturday, I had the darn good fortune of my best friend, and my cousin, both telling me at the same time that they would be going to Target that day. With a little magick, I somehow got to be in the wondrous land of Target with both of these beautiful women AND two of my cousin's kids, my sweet little godbabies.

And we went shoe shopping. Needless to say, it was very effective birth control.

Jokes aside, I love all of these people so much and, well, I just love Target so much. It's pretty rare that I get to go to Target, fyi, I'm not totally crazy and definitely wouldn't go every weekend if I lived in suburbia (yes I would). It's also important to note that I downright started salivating over those tiny baby shoes. Also, can we discuss how adorable these children are? That little girl is a firecracker, a total crack up, and five going on sixteen. Her little brother is quiet, focused, and (almost) four going on seventy. Also, you may note that I'm actually in a picture on my blog for once! This is my true suburban look: random, old clothes, hair up in a bun, no makeup.. ah, perfection. You're welcome, internet.

On Suburbia

It's calmer here, quieter.
The streets are so dark at night it's almost scary.
There are paws that greet you, a wagging tail not too far behind.
The TV is almost always on, there are snacks all the time.
Things you would never eat somehow find their way into your hands.
You can't see one side of this home while sitting on the other. In fact, there are multiple floors.
The rug softens under your feet and knitted blankets keep you warm.
They fall asleep early, well before ten. Only to wake up a few hours later. It was a nap, she'll say.
He stares at you intensely, follows you around, asks to be picked up in the morning, placed on the bed.
There is grass everywhere. A park, a yard, a baseball field.
It smells different here.
You settle in behind the wheel of the car, easing back into the familiar feel.
You lace up the running shoes that are barely worn in, despite buying them last year.
There is a Target. There is a Target that is only five minutes away.
You pass the place you had your first date,
the corner where you met up with your friends,
the park where you watched the boys play basketball,
the destination for ice cream,
the place you had that summer job.
You end up at the mall, even when you don't mean to. It just happens.
There is music in the car, music in the house, music from the piano, music all the time.
And there is so much singing.

It isn't so much how it stays the same,
but instead, how much you change.
And change and change and change.
Whirling like a tornado, new opinions all the time.
Thoughts, growth, ideas, experiences, all piling together,
resulting in the you that is, well, you.
You think of that quote you used to know,
'There is nothing like returning to a place that remains unchanged to find the ways in which you yourself have altered.'
Nelson Mandela had it right.