The Dance

When my youngest brother, Devin, was a toddler, I was 13 years old. As the eldest child, I did my best to help my mom with the baby. One of the things I liked doing the most was picking him up and dancing with him to the tune of Chicago's "You're the Inspiration." As Devin has grown up, he has heard me talk about that time in his life. 

Yesterday, Devin got married.

Because he and his wife (yes, I'm freaking out, too) met at a dance place, they set up the reception to include dancing. When "You're the Inspiration" played, my baby brother took my hand, led me out onto the dance floor, and danced with me. He looked down at me (he's been much taller than I am for some time now) and said, "It's a little different now, isn't it?" I danced the rest of the dance in tears.

Hristos a-nviat!

In Romania, at Easter time, a common salutation is, "Hristos a-nviat!" This means, "Christ is risen!"  I have always loved this tradition. When I lived in Romania this greeting served as an ever-present reminder of the greatest of our Savior's miracles to us. The angels said, "He is not here. He is risen." 

They can't pinch you!

This has never been my favorite holiday. Here's why: My mom was 6 (or almost 6) when she came to the United States from Norway. She was, of course, unfamiliar with many American holidays and traditions, like Saint Patrick's Day. She was a young elementary school student on her first St. Patrick's Day holiday. Students at her school were ruthless and pinched her arms until they turned black and blue with the bruises. It wasn't until a kind little girl in her class picked up a small bit of grass and put them in my mother's pocket, with the comforting words of, "There. Now they can't pinch you," that the torment ceased.

I don't know if my mom remembers the name of that little girl. My mom has never forgotten how she helped her. I'll never forget the story.

Boogie Woogie

Erin strikes again in this video of her toddler dance moves. She's got moves, I don't. Go figure.

The Plug Flip

Here is a fun video of my niece, Erin, when she was not quite a year old flipping her plug. How she managed the trick, no one knows.

The Burp Talent

About 4 years ago (closer to 3 1/2, I guess) I was baby sitting my nieces and nephew. The youngest, then about 10 mos. old, I think, was sad. Her brother cheered her up by burping. If I am able to post the video I took, I'll keep this entry here.