Flower Fortune- Sweetbriar: Poetry and fragrance.

In the winter, we went to Hawaii,
I found something there I had lost, and a ring with a red ruby
I left on the bar, grossly reflecting a perfect
sun. I fell asleep in sifting sands.

Harry caught me redhanded today. I was in our "library"; Belle was lying on the floor in a new yellow dress, and Oliver was reading a book on the bed. I was writing notes on a new book I'm reading, checking references, and cranking up the reggae music. I was dressed in my nightgown still (even at 3) and thinking that my life was never going to take another turn. What was I really thinking? I wasn't sure, I've been completely ADD lately. Whats it? Harry asked me, taking my hand and kissing it. You've'n lookin' at those words forever, now. He pushed some hair away from my face. Wanna take a break?

We took the children all out to eat, even little Ginny who we usually don't subject to the crowd. (In reality, we got take out and took it to the park and ate it. We hardly ever venture into restaurancts with all the kids. It's suicide.) It was nice to push them on the swings, and watch them run around on the brittle grass. Harry brought a football and we kicked it around. We stayed for a good three hours, and watched as Gabe ventured down the big slide. Belle fell a couple of times, and didn't cry. Ginny spent most of the time in her father's arms (she's his little princess...strawberry hair and a beauty mark near her mouth.) The older twins mostly pushed each other, and laughed as they fell on the ground. I was so happy to spend time with them, and not worry about school or work. Harry starts his hard week next week. I almost cried tonight when he started studying for the hospital.

I'll never see you now, I said. What'll I do without you? He laughed and embraced me.
We've be apart during much harder times, Pidget. It's only a couple of weeks of hard work.
You'll snap at me, I think, I answered.
I think it's more likely you'll snap at me.
Tonight is our last stress-free night for awhile. (Except hopefully, we'll make a bit more money. Our children really are being good about not asking for things. We haven't bought them anything since Christmas, and even that was entirely minimal. All of their toys and books and stuffed animals are shared. And in the case of the boys, all the clothes are shared.)

God, Harry, what will we do when all the kids are grown?
He laughed again, leading me towards the bed. Adpot, he answered.
The funny thing is: I feel I owe something to the environment for having six children. Perhaps, we will adopt.

Everyone thinks having children is all work and no play, which is not true at all. Sometimes, I think that others think I've killed myself by having six children so young; but I'm glad I got it out of the way. Now I have someone (s) to pass my passions down to, I have someone(s) to teach, and someone(s) to lavish my love on. I have so much fun listening to them talk and sort out their own personalities. Harry and I once laughed at sixteen years old and said we would have a big family, and when it came true, we were blown away by the responsibility and love it required. We haven't gotten past five years old, but they say the hardest years are in the beginning. What will it be like when we have six teenagers? Four of them boys? The boys are the best, though, I think it's Belle we'll have to watch. And little Gin is only just now developing her own smile...you want an adventure? Have chlidren.

Rev tells me, What will I do with a girl when she's a teenager. The key, I always answer, Is never be embarassed by anything she tells you. You must always think that being open-minded and honest is the most wonderful thing in the world. Or else, you'll never get to know her.

I've cranked up Marley again while my children sleep in their rooms. Harry will come in soon, and we'll be together for one round of love before he leaves me for three weeks.

When the positive emotion blooms
be sure not to pretend that they aren't as beautiful
as they think they are.