Warrior in Training



Amara, Conor, Sarah & Mama Kathryn. Summer 2010.

While organizing my scrapbooking supplies today, I burst out laughing when I came upon this old photo of Amara and her pals while camping. Amara has always been curious, brave, fierce. This picture of her describes her personality to a T. While her friends are standing back from the fire, faces contorted from the heat, Amara is right there letting her marshmallow burn bright, not a lick of worry on her face! I suspect that as she grows we will see much more of this little type of behavior in my warrior in training.

Trees

The first two photos are from below the ridge.

The remaining photos are from the top of the ridge. It's a blessing to have such a peaceful and picturesque place to hike right across from out yard.

Lady Bugs clearly don't fall into the tree category but there is something magical about them.

Squishy Hands

Even though I am not the craftiest person I still like doing crafts with my girls. Thankfully, at the girl's schools they are able to do more complex projects. At home with me, we stick to simple things like painting on canvas or wooden boxes, coloring on paper of all sizes, molding clay, scrapbooking or using the Circuit to help make simple projects for home or school.

On a recent very cold winter weeknight, we did some painting.  Half way through, Amara informed me that "putting paint on your hands feels nice and smooth" and "it feels good to squish it in your hands. I like squishy hands." And from her hand painting, I could tell Havana had the same thoughts! For this project, Amara picked a flower shaped box and Havana a wooden heart and some plain paper.

Lehitraot

When I was fifteen years old I learned the Hebrew word lehitraot. I had just spent two months exploring, discovering and living in Israel. The experience was life changing and when it was time to head back to my suburban New York home, I felt sadness and a desire to remain in the land of Milk and Honey. One of the many amazing Israeli's I met said the following words of wisdom to me; "Do not say goodbye. Say lehitraot, which means see you later. This is not a goodbye. For we will see you again some day." Well, it turned out I didn't see that person again but the sentiment behind the meaning stayed with me all these years. Lehitraot came to have a special meaning when visits with my loved ones came to an end. Instead of saying goodbye, lehitraot made departures softer, gentler and filled with the reminder that I would see those I love again soon.

I have been thinking of this word alot lately, as I prepare myself for the move of a very dear friend. My 'soul sister', Danya, her infant son Liam, and his Papa, Dirk, are preparing to move and settle in Dirk's native Germany. The news of their plans to migrate to Europe didn't come as a surprise. Their decision actually made a whole lot of sense. But the reality that my dear friend won't be a drive across the bridge any longer initially felt like a sucker punch to my gut. Life is funny like that. There is not much black and white but a whole lot of gray. On one hand, I wholeheartedly encourage them following their hearts and doing what is their truth. But I equally feel a deep sadness. And this is where lehitraot has come back to remind me that this is not a goodbye but a see ya later. Lehitraot has softened the reality of their departure for we will see each other again soon.

Danya and Dirk are 'Aunt' and 'Uncle' to my girls and Liam is their cousin. We are not blood related. We are heart and soul connected. And two continents and an ocean can not alter that fact. We will just have to visit in different places on the planet (ah, another reason to travel.) Our moms happen to live just a short drive from each other in Florida. We couldn't have planned a more perfect winter escape for our families to meet up each year. And thanks to the wizardry of modern technology we can Skype. If anything, we will 'see' each other more because the current physical realities (a.m. kindergarten, nap time, working, traffic and so on) of our lives has made frequent visits somewhat of a challenge. Being able to visit in the comfort of home, on Skype, is not the same but it'll be easy. And the truth is, all I have to do sit quietly and I can feel Danya's presence as much as if she were in the same room.

So it is with both a joyful heart in celebration of the next part of Danya, Dirk and Liam's journey as well as with a heart with sorrow that I prepare myself to say, Lehitraot.

With Amara (4 weeks)

Amara, Auntie Danya and Luvey (in Amara's arms.) Danya gave Amara Luvey when she was just a few weeks old. At 5 1/2 years old, Amara still doesn't go too far without Luvey.

With a 2 month old Havana.

Amara, Havana & Auntie Danya having fun one Spring.

Havana and Uncle Dirk (2011 ?)

And here a few days after Liam's birth (August 2012). Havana Loves her Uncle Dirk!

Liam at only a few days old. Words can not describe how happy our family was that he finally arrived!!

The Store

Cold, grey days. Inside days. Creative days!

Amara has taken to playing 'Store' the past two weeks. She takes great pride in setting up her store with her handy assistant, Havana, and then when things are ready she announces, "The store is open" and off  Don and I go to do our shopping!!

Amara is quite a savvy businesswoman. She sells board books for $12 and small balls for "One thousand pennies" and when I wanted to purchase a doll it cost me a thousand dollars! Of course, we have to pay up right away (with colored construction paper money that she precut).

Amara even made her own signs which listed the item and it's cost (which was enlightening; I can see that Amara is now interested in learning to spell.)

 But the smartest business move she made was when I bought a doll and Petunia Pig and then ten minutes later she announced "The shop is closed" and we had to return all of our items. Not a short time later she reopened and I had repurchase my goods! "You mean I have to pay again, Amara?" "Yup", she responded in her shopkeepers tone! Smart cookie!!!

Glamour Girl

Ms. Havana Banana has taken to sunglasses! She has several pair and loves prancing around in them. Here she is in some of those.

Chinatown~ San Francisco

I love Chinatowns. I have since I was a little girl. I seek out Chinatowns in cities when I travel and on my blog I will probably repeat this sentiment frequently. Yet, for reasons buried in my subconscious, I had not explored the Chinatown in San Francisco. I made at least one visit there about 5 years ago with Don. We had an enjoyable and entertaining time exploring the shops and places to eat. We left with a few gifts for friends, sleepy from a foot massage and full from a yummy dinner. So why have I waited so long to return? I was not so sure but on the first day of 2013 I was inspired (thanks to my friends Roger and Ed the night before) to take the family and go exploring!

What makes Chinatowns so special? The reasons are many!

There are the endless choices of eateries be it more authentic or American style Chinese. If you are vegetarian like I am, you can find some kick ass vegetarian fare. The Chinese can make soy and wheat gluten into some of the tastiest foods around.

And depending on which city you are in, you can get produce and fresh seafood to make your own meals at home.

Then there are the tchotkes. So many things to choose from. You can take home a hand waving cats that bring good luck, or little rocks with affirmations imprinted on them; there are rainbow pinwheels or you can choose from a dozen different forms of Hello Kitty. You can purchase a desk size Buddha or a life size one if you can carry it home.

There are knockoff clothing items and handbags.

There are herbs and other remedies for healing.

There are low end and high end deals; from paper lanterns to wood furniture.

There are nooks and crannies along the streets and in the stores. So much to explore and discover.

Everywhere you look, you can find a kaleidoscope of colors.

There are the crowded streets (and this person, who normally cringes in tight spaces, moves with ease through the throngs of people) that buzz with life.

And every Chinatown I have ever been to has the same distinct smell.  I inhale the scents around me and my body settles with a sense of peace.

When I move through the crowded streets and feel the presence of Chinatown I feel at home. I felt this from the very first time I stepped on Mott Street in Manhattan when I was maybe 7 or 8 years old. And when I am in Chinatowns, I often have this primal memory of walking on streets in Shanghai or Beijing. I tell myself I must be channeling family memories.My great grandfather was Chinese and made the long trip from his home in Shanghai to Cuba, with his brother in the early 1900's.

As we wandered around the streets of today's San Francisco's Chinatown I began to understand my earlier ambulances to venturing there; The city's Chinatown had a more tourist feel to it than the one in Oakland or in New York City, where the population is much larger and it feels more like home to the Chinese population. In San Francisco, I am sure many call it home but there was a strong element of tourism. I understand the need to generate income and make a living and I loved the modernism that has been incorporated into the city's Chinatown. In my experience, however the pulse of some other Chinatown's felt a little more authentic (if that is the correct word.)

Now that I have gotten a taste and feel of the layout of the Chinatown across the Bay, I suspect the girls and I will visiting there again soon. They both loved our evening out  although Havana was mostly focused on "getting a cookie!" I want them to develop a strong sense of adventure and comfortability being in unfamiliar territories be it a far away land or just a trip across the Bay.