the rising

What a long eight years it's been. And at times, what a Mr. Toad's wild one. 2,290 days ago, I was looking at a crème brulee with a candle in it, running smack dab into my forties..and a wee, drunken Lilliputian was sitting on my shoulder talking up motherhood ever so faintly in my ear. I listened. I went for it. And it was the best thing I ever did. Had I known that my abs would wave goodbye and my décolletage would go from Northern slopes to a high def avalanche, I might have reconsidered. But ya gotta take the good with the bad, I guess. I went on to pick up some major stakes, became a home owner for the first time, got some of that there health care, and hey, I even bought myself a Honda! Yeah, our country may have gone to hell in a hand basket for the last almost-decade or so, but Mama had some pretty good stuff coming her middle-aged way. Thank goodness I had an empty bank account and avoided Wall Street, also insisting on staying within my measly price point and a 30 year fixed on a cozy two boudoir or things mighta been a little bit different.

Now another birthday's headed my direction and another kid is looking at school. It flies, my friends..it truly does fly. We have to enjoy it while it's happening, and yes, set reasonable 2009 goals, of course..but I'm learning it's more about the unmarked side roads..the wrong turns and even those pesky potholes than it is about that checkered flag. The magic in my life has been soft and quiet..not a lot of bang, but deep and solid, and for that, I am thankful. Speaking of flying...seeing that miracle unfold on the Hudson for all those folks aboard that aluminum bird was a great way to start the year off, huh? New beginnings in leaders, second chances at life....it's not every day a man is faced with a single moment in which everything he's learned, all that he's invested in his passion, his calling...is poised on a razor's edge and put to the ultimate test. A time when focus, control and cajones are mandatory. It is then that he rises to the occasion, while sharing a fate with those he's never met and goes and changes the destiny for every last single one of 'em with his big, bad self. Way to go, Sulley.

Yes, we have our heroes. Some on the front pages, some not. And I'm gonna sit back and revel in that today and tomorrow...then it's back to work. We have to believe that things will improve before they ever will begin to. I sure wish Dr. King could see all those cold toes that are gathering around the Monument right now. It would make him smile for sure. This morning, over Cheerios, I introduced my oldest to just who he was and what he did. That is definitely one of the best parts of being a mom..getting to share all the basic life stuff/info/history that we take for granted..that sometimes we forget to think about, to ponder..to honor. It makes us stop for a sec to try and put it into basic terms for a five year old brain to absorb; yet at the same time awakens in us a purity of thought, a sincerity of heart that is pretty easily covered in this day and age with a stinkin' thinkin' coat of armor. Yes..we've come a long way, baby. And we still have a long way to go. But for today, I feel darn proud...very proud of this nation and all us peeps punching the clock and shacking up within her borders.

Here's to a new year, new beginnings...to remembering just what it took to get this far, and to us ordinary folks for being a little bit heroic in our own humble way to help change things for the better and move it forward. And here's to the lucky bastards that really have connections and get to see The Boss, up close and personal, belting it out with that choir on the ivory steps of the Memorial. Dang.