John Elijah

Today was Elijah's second birthday. He is visiting family in Michigan this week. I called to wish him a happy birthday. Tori told him "TicTac Nana" wants to talk to you. I could hear her coaching him in the background. "Tell Nana 'I am 2 now'". "2 Now". Uh-huh! Are you going to eat bitrhday cake and icecream? Yes! It is hard to imagine life without our little precocious boy! Sweet as a button, stonefaced as all get out and already opinionated about how life should be. You just want to pick him up and squeeze his little cheeks and kiss him as he hugs back. All boy- toads and frogs and basketballs and soccer balls and his own version of run fast: "hun hast!". He just melts hearts and puts a smile on everyone's face. Happy Birthday , Sweet Boy!

Jiffy Pop Almost Extinct

Ok, so I was thinking about how automated we are now, even with popcorn delivery. It used to be popping was done in a pot, with a lid on the stove top. Then Jiffy Pop was invented: a self preserved container with popcorn and oils already packaged in a disposable pan. The anticipation of watching that flattened portion of aluminum foil start to bubble up, almost to the point of bursting, was amazing. First you would hear the kernels bouncing in the pan over the high heat. No sound of popping, just shaking kernels. Then one by one they popped open and the symphony would begin. pop! Pop! POP! PPPPPPOOOOOPPPPPPPP! The flat, shiny covering started to expand slowly, then faster until the entire lid was expanded almost to the limit. The smell of freshly popped corn would enter the room, and ride the airwaves into the next room... A good memory a great bit of nostalgia for the palate. Now, throw that bag into the microwave and within 2-3 minutes, the popcorn is done. No room for anticipation, no aromas to fill the air and tease the taste buds. Just pop it open and magically the popcorn is done. It is hard to find those packages of Jiffy Pop. They are almost extinct, like the dinosaurs.
I am truly grateful to have those memories. But I look at my grandchildren and see their symphonies starting. The sounds of laughter, singing, tiny voices trying on new words and the mature ones coaching, teaching and showing by example the way things should be. I love to see them all mingling in the yard, enjoying one another. Learning to explore the sights and sounds of love and life. I hear Sami speaking to Aunt Kami's belly, saying hello to Maggie. Telling me she is saving her special toy for Maggie or Elijah. Elijah calling his daddy "Uncle Jack-Jack" because he hears Wyatt and Sami addressing him that way. Hearing stories of how he calls his mama "Babe" because Jack calls her that. Listening to Jamin tell Wyatt that he learns from his dad's example and teaches Wyatt, and that Wyatt needs to teach Elijah. Seeing the girls hold grown up conversations with Aunt Jenny or Pop Pop. It is a blessing that these times are more precious than a container of popcorn. That we can savor each moment of time, not wishing it away. So, Jiffy Pop is almost gone, but the popcorn in my life is still just starting to sizzle in the pan. For that, I am eternally grateful.