Words from the Heart

 Today, I have the honor of sharing a guest post with the author of I Can't Wait to Love You Forever, Patricia Eckerman Ambas.  I highly recommend this book both for the content and the illustrations. I wished I had a copy of it way back when I was raising my girls. Patricia is a talented writer. I hope you enjoy her post. Grandchildren Connections Grandparents are powerful forces. The ones who can be the second parents, but more of the love and fun, and less of the discipline. Not even close to being a grandmother yet, I consider myself close to the source of what grandchildren want (as a beloved and loving granddaughter myself) and raising three children who have a close connection with both sets of grandparents. I have two tips to share with you that can begin to cultivate a stronger relationship with your grandchildren.  One of the reasons I’m sharing on this topic is that I’m finding some of my biggest book fans are grandparents. They love buying my books for their g...

Father's day is upon us and I am called to remember how blessed I am to have had my Dad in my life and in the life of my children.  But, it wasn't an easy journey, at first. You see, Dad struggled for many years with alcohol. However, in my early teens, he gained sobriety and kept it for the remainder of his life. In the years that followed, I was blessed with a father who had great wisdom, great compassion and great love for me and all his children and grandchildren.   There are things I remember Dad telling me that have shaped who I am today. Some of his most memorable quotes are: "A nursing mother is the most beautiful sight in the world!" "You are NOT fat, you are pregnant and beautiful!" "Make do, do over or do without. You don't need all that sh.. anyway!" "You can do anything you put your mind to doing. You're John Neas' daughter!" Mostly, though, Dad led by example. He taught me to help others humbly b...

Spent some time with my grandchildren last week.  What fun we had reading books, splashing in puddles, watching ants and racing cars across the living room rug. As an educator, I love watching how the kids develop.  Their little minds just seem to run full tilt sometimes.  I was amazed to watch my grandchildren figure out problems by themselves.  I also enjoyed listening to their often profound questions. Grandson #2 tested my ability to come up with creative answers, however.  "Why?" was his favorite question the entire time I was there. Made me wonder if his little mind ever rested. But, what a gift it is to have children that ask questions. (Even if they do drive you nuts sometimes!) Here are some of the questions I danced around. Why do ants like mud? Why are you stay with us? Why do you like to sing songs? Meena, why are you Mommy's mommy? Why can't I find my red car you gave me? (I have given him several, so finding the right one was a cha...

As the mother of four daughters, grandmother of seven wee ones and auntie, grandaunt and great-grandaunt to more wee ones, I have been surrounded by mothering this year.  Is it any wonder that on this special day, I find myself reflecting...   From a young age, I loved mothering.  I rocked my dolls, spend endless hours changing clothes, washing them, styling their hair and reading them stories.  As I grew older, I adored babysitting. In fact, I would rather baby sit than go on a date!  Then, I had four amazing little girls who have grown into equally amazing young women, three of whom have blessed me with grandbabies.   Being Silly and Creating memories The Girls and grandchildren This year, I became a grand aunt and a great grand aunt!  What a joy it is to watch these "babies" I once held on my lap, having babes of their own. Me, daughter, Courtney and clan at Castle Island  Just last week, I had a very bittersweet trip t...

There are some things in life that are pure poetry - without the words.  Holding my wee grandson, who was born 5 weeks early was one such moment.   As I greeting this tiny little miracle, the first child of my youngest daughter, he smiled.  He continued to smile as I sang to him.  Needless to say, I was in heaven! In celebration, a wee poem (haiku): Like the winter winds that blow early in the fall, the wee boy arrives    Namasté!

Image by Getty Images via @daylife Fifty years ago, I was a tween enamored with our new president.  At age eleven, events in the world have the potential to shape your outlook on life. The words, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your county," informed my dedication to social justice and peace work.  It also informed my philosophy for life in general.   Ask not what your family can do for you, but what you can do for your family, or your church, or your school or your community.  After fifty years following a worn path to equality, peace, and justice, I have come to believe, to know that if we are ever to get to the end of the road, if are ever to enter the Promised Land, then it will be through thinking and doing for others. Our leaders in Congress need to look at JFK's speech, actively listening to the words and applying them to their lives.  The US is being strangled by partisan politics.  Our senators and representa...

As we close out this month-long celebration of Reading, I thought I would share an incident that just took place on a recent visit to my daughter's home. But, first let me give you a quick history of reading in my family. As far back as I can go...a few generations...the women in our family have been literate. My great grandmother read to my grandmother, who read to my mother, who read to me. I, in turn, read to my daughters and they have followed suit reading to their daughters. It is a pasttime that we all delight in. So, it came as no surprise when my daughters became mothers to see bookshelves filled with children's books in their homes. This past weekend I visited with the girls. On three separate occasions, each of my three granddaughters climbed into my lap with a book to read. In the middle of reading to my oldest granddaughter, I realized that this gift had come full circle. In my mind's eye, I could see the generations holding children on their laps reading...