18

 

Shawn, I love how you try new things and are quite fearless when you do. I love that you push me to stay strong and healthy. I appreciate it. Even if I almost die when we go to the trampoline park lol.

I love going out for ice cream and getting boba with you. I still enjoy outings with you.

This year you have worked really hard in school, you have had a couple jobs, including coaching kids in gymnastics, you got your TRIPLE full on floor! You have had fun hanging out with friends, done the entire college application process during a pandemic, saved the life of a starving stray kitten, and at the end of the day, you are simply a wonderful son who helped deliver sandwiches to local homeless people on your birthday.

You won't read this until you are much older, if ever. At this age, you no longer like your picture being taken by me. But these shots are too cool not to share. 

Happy birthday my sweet boy. Now you are a young man!

I love you!

Mom 

17

Shawn it seems like the last couple years you have been growing at rocket speed. I shouldn't be surprised considering your personality. You are such a wonderful young man and I am so lucky to be your mother.  I loved our times this year at the trampoline park and how you always push me to be strong and try new things. I guess the roles have reversed lol! I can't wait to see what you do with your life. I know it's going to be amazing because you are such an amazing kid. Happy birthday honey!

summer memories~pennsylvania

I love the Pennsylvania countryside. My mom is from a small Pennsylvania town, and we spent lots of time visiting our grandparents there when I was growing up. So every summer when we take Shawn to and from camp I am reminded of those happy times.

Sky stayed with my parents and Gary and I headed to pick up Shawn after five weeks of camp. We had an enjoyable road trip. We stayed a couple nights in a beautiful inn. The first full day there we went to Shawn's camp for performance day where parents come to watch what the kids have been doing. It was fun to see Shawn with so many nice kids as friends. He has met kids from all over the world at this camp.

Shawn was a CIT this year so he had less to show us. He had taught drums to younger kids, which was a great experience for him. But he did perform on high trapeze. He did a flip off of the bar and was caught by a highly trained trapeze athlete (phew). It was amazing. I have no idea where he gets that level of bravery and daredevil-ness from! I was a gymnast but I was never that brave.

That night Shawn joined us for dinner out, he was happy to eat non-camp food!!

Gary and I enjoyed the quiet countryside. We took walks, had dinner, watched a movie and really relaxed. The breakfasts at our inn were delicious, family style. Lots of fun.

We were so happy to be reunited with our sweet son, hearing about his adventures on the drive home to my parents' home. Shawn had spent five weeks with NO PHONE and NO COMPUTER. He survived! In fact he was better for it. I LOVE this camp.

sixteen

Shawnie it's hard to believe that you are getting to be such a huge teenager, towering over us all! Where did that little kid go?

I love making you meals and seeing you enjoy them, our drives to gymnastics, listing to your music in the car, watching you do amazing things on floor, watching Avatar: The Last Airbender (for the third time, lol), swimming in the pool, playing catch in the park and street pickleball, going to the beach, seeing you do trapeze, listening to you drum, and watching movies with you and dad. I love seeing you laugh with Sky and seeing your sweet smile. I love that you teach me the lit words to say and explain computers and memes to me. I am not sure where I would be with modern technology without you helping me.

We may have our disagreements (what teens don't argue with parents?) but I want you to remember how much I love you. I am so lucky God gave me a son, I am so glad it is you.

Love,
Mom

beach yoga

We've got a quieter house now, with two kids out of the nest. It's just Shawn home now. The youngest boy who is the tallest family member.  He's driving now. Doing well in school. Enjoys watching movies with me and Gary. Pulling off complicated tumbling tricks in his gymnastics class. He loves to push himself. I was the same way. Ahh, youth.

christmas 2018

I sure do love these monkeys.

for my children~stepping in

Hi kiddos.

Two of you are now living out of the house part of the time. Hard to believe this time has come. But it has.

You are all growing up. You are all learning so much about life and yourselves. You are meeting lots of new people, and having new experiences.

As you go through life, remember, everything happens at the right time. It's not always exactly as we wish or think it should happen. But life is unfolding. The seed has to be under the ground for some time before it becomes a flower.

Try not to worry too much about figuring it all out, in terms of education and career path. Just follow your passions and interests and trust they will take you to the right places.  Seek positive mentors.

You are all strong, capable, intelligent young people. You all have unique strengths and huge hearts. I am most proud of the kindness you have all shown over the years. It is a strength like no other.

Strong.
Smart.
Kind.

Those three words you all grew up hearing from Dad. It's important to have a balance of them all. You have all developed these qualities in spades!

And remember, step into your unique brilliance. No one else can do it for you. Shine on my sweet children. I love you all!

summer 2018 part two

After our Europe trip we met up with Annabel in Toronto where she had been on tour with Amma. We took the girls to stay in my home town and got to spend some quality time with my parents, including my birthday. Gary went to pick up Shawn from five weeks of summer camp where he had a blast. On the way home we stopped off in California and got to see old friends.

our summer, part one

In June we took the kids to northern California, followed by Los Angeles and New Mexico to spend time with Amma. Sky joined us on the first stop and brought her boyfriend to meet Amma for the first time. The kids participated in seva (service), mostly serving food. We all got to send time with Amma, hear some inspiring talks, meditate, and see lots of friends along the way. In New Mexico Gary and I got to tour the ashram there, outside of Sante Fe, founded by our friends Steve and Cathy. It was beautiful. I love spending time with my family, especially now that the little birds are leaving the nest.