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The van had a button.  Things were pretty easy.  You want the back lift-gate open?  Press a button.  You want the back lift-gate shut?  Press the button again.  Easy.

We don’t have the van anymore.

In all honesty, that is the only feature I miss about that van when compared to our new vehicle.  Well, new is kind of stretching it.  It was new to us in June.  New to us I have to say because the actual newness of the vehicle wore off some two years earlier when it was in fact at that time a new vehicle.

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As I pulled to the intersection I made sure to leave plenty of room at the crosswalk before me.  I had seen the girl from nearly a block away yet was certain she did not see me.  She had a spotter, though he seemed to be doing very little. Read the rest of this entry →

She walked quickly and looked behind to her left.  He followed, silently, just behind.  Quickly, she changed course, switched hands and looked behind to her right.  And just as quickly he was there, right behind her.  I could feel the tension mounting, see it in her face.  Frustration building.

“Zia, what seems to be the problem?” I asked.

“Zander keeps following me!  He won’t stop,” she exclaimed.

I looked down at Zander who was intent on Zia and focused squarely on her hands.  Zia shifted hands and turned left to right and back again as Zander followed her every move.

“Zia, he’s not following you,” I said pointing to the object in her hands.  “He’s following the sucker!”

“Oh.”  Then to Zander, “Do you want a sucker, Zander?”

“Yeah, yeah!  I want a sucker.”

“Well, you can’t have it.”  And she popped it in her mouth and walked away.

We stayed inside for the better part of the day.  Safely inside.  The remnants of Ike made it’s way into and through Ohio yesterday with steady winds and gusts into the 50mph range.  It was something to behold.  Our experience in no way compares to those along the Texas and Louisiana coastline and even those living farther northward in those gulf coast states.

There was no water to contend with, just the steady and constant winds.  Before long, limbs began to fall.  Our yard is littered with fallen branches.  One branch fell through and into the front porch breaking a few panes of glass with it’s fall.  The driveway was covered with fallen branches.  Minimal stuff all-in-all.  But eventually, inevitably, it happened.

About 6:30 pm I was in the kitchen cleaning up after dinner, Zia was playing on the stairs behind me and Zane was watching a football game in the living room.  And the lights went out.  Immediately, Zia responded with, “I didn’t do that!”

Me:  I know, Zia.  It’s the power.  I’m sure a limb has fallen over a power line and the electricity has gone out.

Zia:  Oh.  (Now with a bit of worry in her voice)  But when will it come back on?  What are we going to do?

Me:  Don’t worry Zia, we’ll be fine.  It’s just a power line.  It’ll be back on soon enough.  We’ve got plenty of candles.

Zane:  (Yelling from the living room) Dad!  Dad!!

I walked into the living room and began to explain to Zane…..

Me:  Don’t worry, man.  It’s probably just a limb that fell over a power line and made the electricity go out.  We’ve got plenty of candles.  We’re going to be fine.  Really, don’t worry about it.

Zane:  Yeah, but Dad.  (His voice almost in a panic.)  How are we going to find out if the Jets win?

I read somewhere that being a parent is a lifelong process of learning to let go, truths of the statement ringing evident repeatedly just this past week.   We have said goodbye to summer and our beloved pool.  Zoë and Zane started school.  Just yesterday, we said goodbye to a little stuffed bunny.

Today, Zia started Pre-K.  She was been asking for weeks when school started and it nearly pushed her over the edge to send her big brother and sister off to school last week without her.  She was ready–whether I am or not.

I take great comfort in knowing that she is excited about school and will be well cared for there.  I also know that no matter how much they may fight, argue and bicker they love each other and are a team.

Have fun at school, guys and take care of each other!  The twins and I will be here when you get home anxious to hear of your adventures.