Valentine's Day 2010

I had no idea what I would do. I had no idea how I would react. But I knew it was coming. 

My mother called on Saturday, February 13 and told me he was gone. 

I was quiet. 

I was calm. 

I was numb.

I was alone with the ballerinas. 

BSD was coming home the next day. Valentine's Day was the next day. They were so excited about the next day. 

I couldn't tell them. I didn't tell them. I waited. 

I was determined not to ruin Valentine's Day. We have a family tradition on Valentines' Day. And the ballerinas look forward to it almost as much as Christmas morning. 

On Valentine's Day, we cover the table in newspaper. 

Cook up a big batch of crab legs.

 

And then we feast.

There are gifts. Nothing extravagant. BSD was gone for a month and unsure of his exact return date so he sent roses. A big beautiful bouquet of roses. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of them. :( 

The ballerinas each got a little candy necklace making kit and a hula hoop.

 

And this year, after realizing how important it is to cherish those you love while you can, I stayed up late on Saturday night creating little "Love Tins." I spray painted, cut out hearts, turned them into stickers, and then stuffed the cans with 20 things that I love about each of my Valentines.

 

There were smiles.

" Nuh Uhs!"

 

 A few "Most Defs."

And even some near tears. 

 

It was a Valentine's Day I'll never forget.

  

"Papa" 

Thanksgiving 2008

Happy Valentine's Day!

 

 

Not my original idea. I got the idea from another blog, who got it from another blog, who probably got it from another blog. You get the idea.

Dear Dad...

That was me who just tried to call your hospital room. I didn't think you could answer the phone, but I thought maybe, just maybe you'd find the strength.

I am so glad I got to see you this weekend. I am so glad I was able to sit right next to you on the bed and hold your hand. I am so glad I told you that I love you. And that you were able to say it back. I am so glad we shared some fond memories. You remembered them too.

Holding your hand felt good. Like when I was a little girl and I used to reach out for your hand. I'm glad I stayed right there on the bed holding your hand because I realized that even though your eyes were closed you were not asleep. You were listening. You spoke to me through our hands.

I told you I'll be back next week. I told you to hold on. You showed me that you weren't sure you could. I told you it's OK. You do what you have to do. It's OK, Dad.

It's OK, Dad.

I love you.

You are not alone.

I love you.

It's OK, Dad.

Burly Surf Dude, The Snowman

It's yet another snow day down here at the beach. Nothing new from the sky, but the temps keep dropping overnight turning the unplowed roads into an ice skating rink come morning. The sledding conditions were less than stellar today so we've moved on to snowman building. 

Here's our Surfing Snowman. And a little story...

Burly Surf Dude (the real one) was born in Hawaii. In a naval hospital. Because his parents were military stationed in Hawaii at the time. It doesn't matter that his last name is as white as Wonder Bread. And so is was his hair. It doesn't matter that his skin will burn in the moonlight. He was born on O'ahu so he IS Hawaiian. If you ask him he'll tell you, "I'm from the Islands." *gag*

He thinks this makes him cool. I think it makes him a dork. He'll do his best Pidgin imitation when he really wants to prove it to novices. Throwing out words like "Aloha, Mahalo and Br'a." Poser. 

So yesterday we were studying for one of the Big Ballerina's geography tests. We've made it to the states of the west. And, as we all know, Hawaii is a western state. BB was practicing naming the states and their capitals and LB wanted to learn them too.

BB: Hawaii. LB, you should know this one. That's where Daddy was born.

LB: Oh yeah, Hawaii!

BB: So, what's the capital of Hawaii?

LB: ummm.....

BB: Hona. *pause* HA-NAAAA....

LB: Hannakah! That's it! Hannakah! Hannakah, Hawaii! (yep, this Hawaiian blood runs deep)

BB and MAW (after picking ourselves up off the floor): No. Not Hanukkah. 

BB (trying again): HA-NA-LU.....HA-NA-LUUUUUU.......

LB (beaming with pride): Hana-Loser! Hana-loser, Hawaii! 

MAW: That's right, Little Ballerina. Daddy is a Hono-LOSER from Hawaii!

But he can surf, and paint toenails, and he treats us like his queen and princesses so we'll continue to let him live in his little fantasy world where he is our King Kamehameha.

We miss you, BSD!

*side note: I just noticed how WHITE and PALE that snowman picture looks in this post. I don't know what I did, but I think he really wanted to look authentic in his portrait.