Drums Along the Hudson (Native American Festival in Inwood) and Happy Birthday to Me
I've told you how I adore celebrations in my Easter/Spring Post. Well, this is how I celebrated my birthday last Saturday, May 3. This is a truly down-to-earth, authentic, kid-loving festival that happens every year in Inwood.
Send more pics, if you have 'em
drumming by inwood's own harambee african dance troupe
harambee's rhythms inspire breaking through the barricade
dancing, dancing, dancing a shoe off. a little help from my friends
"yeah, i'm next." (then she jumps on the stage with the dancers)
remember, i said kid-lovin'? these dancers welcomed her
warwick gombey troupe from bermuda wow'd us with dance, music and dress
mesmerized by the gombey
laughing at my choice
of only three candles
Flowers for You On Mother's Day
wisteria blooming in inwood, just for you
I wrote the piece below last year on Mother's Day. Since we are experiencing a childcare challenge right now, I thought I would share it while putting my Simplify, Simplify, Simplify Tool to use.
Anytime families face challenges, transitions and/or any other issues that can set them whirling out of success, The Simplify Tool is the first one to pull out of the box. (Also, I wanted you to know what's going on so you would know I haven't been ignoring you. I've been itching to post, so it hasn't been from lack of desire that I've been absent.)
And I want to appreciate all of my amazing mommy friends who have been supporting me now and in the past when I have been in similar situations. May you all and everyone reading have a joyful Mother's Day, regardless of circumstance!
MOTHER'S DAY
2007
I spent my Mother's
Day alone with my 15-month old daughter and I loved
it.
In fact, this experience turned around my idea of
what Mother's Day is all about. I guess I'd never
really thought about it before, but just sort fell in
with the notion that Mother's Day was when moms don't
cook, wash dishes, feed the cat, feed the fish, feed
the kids, etc. Instead, family takes care of that
stuff and mother receives.
That wasn't my experience today. My daughter is my
family and while she does feed me by shoving veggie
booty in my mouth when
she decides I should
have some, its not quite the same as the receiving of
a meal.
Today I "chopped wood and carried water" (as in
“Before enlightenment; chop wood, carry water. After
enlightenment; chop wood, carry water” the Zen
proverb that speaks to changes in perception and
finding inner peace in the mundane). I've had a
change of heart about what I value in a Mother's Day
celebration.
Instead of being on the receiving end of gratitude
for all that I do as a mom, I gave thanks for the
opportunity to be a gentle, loving, empathetic
mother. I decided to enjoy every mundane moment, and
there are quite a few in the life of single mother
and young child.
I have so much joy in my heart that my child is in my
life, though my intention had been to give her (and
myself) a different family experience. Regardless, I
spent the day in gratitude and joy. That doesn't mean
that I denied the sadness, just that I can
acknowledge it, provide myself with empathy and then
move on to enjoy every minute of mothering this
precious being who has joined me.
In doing so, I model for her, as Magical Child
author Joseph Chilton Pearce said, by becoming
the kind of person I want her to be.