Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Rolling Along, Training-Wheel Style


I am noticing that the first year of life is all about firsts. Our son crawled for the first time the other day. Coincidentally, it was the same day I had a first of my own. I rode my bike to work.

My husband and I expressed some concern that he was not crawling yet. The pediatrician checked out his tiny arms and legs. His head and back and declared physically he was ready, but he needed the courage to do it.


So the day I found my extra courage to do something I knew physically I was capable of, but scared to do, he did the same.


Sure, this could be a fluke. Or maybe a reminder that he isn’t the only one in our family having some firsts and growth spurts. It sure it a whole lot easier to try something hard when someone else is stretching themselves right their along with you.

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Sweet Idea


If I owned my own restaurant I would give people self-esteem cookies at the end of the meal. Wouldn't that be better than fortune cookies? The fortune is never really a fortune. The cookie sucks. So your end of meal experience ends up being a disappointment. Who doesn’t need a boost of self-esteem wrapped in sugar? No one really wants to know what tomorrow will bring. They do want to know that they are better than they are. We all want to hear more compliments.

One street person downtown Detroit has the best pitch. She starts off with a compliment. She doesn’t tell you her story which is probably a downer; she tells me how fabulous I look. She asks me if I have tried a new mascara because my lashes are ready to knock her over. She notices my jewelry. And it all works. Before I know it I am smiling ear to ear feeling great about myself and handing over wads of cash. I know I will see her soon selling the next Sham wow or easy pay religion on late night infomercials because she is that good and I love her for it.

Just imagine opening a delicious treat and seeing "you are hot...you smell great...you bake great muffins....you're so organized...your subtraction is very accurate...you have great looking gums...well-groomed eyebrows....great posture...good work on the flossing...love your meatloaf...those abs are TIGHT...those look very real…great grammar...your are always so prompt."