June 15, 2025

We went to a "No King" demonstration at the courthouse in Leesburg, Virginia.

The reasons are many, but the gist of it is that Trump is acting like he thinks he is king.  He and his people are lying about things that we know are not true.  For example, a Senator, Senator Padilla of California was taken to the ground and handcuffed after trying to ask a question at a press conference.   This is so UN-American.   Immigrants are chased down and taken away,  It's just become a scary place and so against what American is all about.

Anyway, this was a demonstration that was held all over the US.   

This evening there is going to be a huge and expensive military parade in Washington, DC.    This is the 250th anniversary of the US Army.  The Army was planning a celebration on the Mall in DC .

Trump latched onto the idea, and since it is also his 79th birthday he escalated it to ridiculous dimensions.  From NBC:  

The cost to repair Washington, D.C., streets after the upcoming military parade celebrating the Army’s 250th anniversary could cost as much as $16 million, according to U.S. military officials.

That’s part of an estimated $45 million total cost for the June 14 military parade, which coincides with President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday. The cost estimates have fluctuated as planning continues.

 

 

 

 

 

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Life

 Picture of me in a Grinnell Mom sweatshirt.  It's kind of funny because Courtney just went to her 25 year reunion at Grinnell.  Which means that this shirt is more than 25 years old.  I was recently debating if I should keep it or toss it.  At least for this occasion I am glad I kept it.

 

Then, there's this little baby boy who I love with all my heart and who I have not seen since Christmas.  Almost 6 months.  The most recent pictures I have of his are several months old (besides these here).  These were shared with me by his much older half sister, when I asked her to share with me.

Does he loom like his dad?   Hard to tell in pictures, but I think so.

 

I love all of my kids so much and I know that they love me.  But sometimes I feel so forgotten and unimportant.   They all have their own friends and their own lives for sure.   And I don't really want to live with them, but I want to feel that I am at least thought about now and then.

I know that's not fair.  Courtney always responds to my texts and emails.   The other kids get around to it eventually.  Is it something I did?  Did I raise them to be so independent that they don't need me at all?    

Of course, over the years when we were living overseas, I felt sad at the lack of letters from my mother.  Yet, when I go through old letters, there are letters from her.  

It's all okay.  I just get sad sometimes.

 Yesterday I officially joined the UU congregation of Sterling, VA.  I have/ had been a member of the UUCF (Fairfax) congregation, but stopped attending ages ago .   I started going to this church a couple of months ago.  The whole world and political situation (Donald Trump) has me so anxious and stressed that I needed this.

More later- maybe 

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I'm still here

 I am just so overwhelmed by the way Trump and his people are doing so many terrible things.

I won't go into it all right now.  Just suffice it to say I am pretty scatterbrained about what the future holds.

Meanwhile- strawberries that Nick grew 

Being a mother

 I know and understand that all of my kids are adults.  I know that they don't "need" me like they did once upon a time.

The period of time that they were babies and toddlers and young kids flies past so fast.   They get tired of hearing about how they did this or that.  They don't want to be treated as "kids".   They don't remember or recognize the intensity of those early days and months and years.  

I am not them and they are not me,  But, for that short period in their lives and in mine everything felt so important and intense and real.

It is hard to be an "adult child".  When you are an adult you don't like the feelings of being a kid around your mom (and dad).  We've all felt it.  Even your parents toward their parents.

 This is a little thing I lifted off of Facebook that says it all so well.

One day they won’t need you to help them fall asleep. 

They’ll crawl into bed on their own, without asking for one more snuggle, one more story, one more lullaby.

 One day they won’t need you to kiss their booboos.

 They’ll brush it off, pretend it doesn’t hurt, and keep going even when you still ache to make it better. 

One day they won’t need you to wash the shampoo out of their hair. 

You’ll hear the bathroom door shut behind them and realize they’re growing up faster than you’re ready for. 

It won’t happen all at once.

 It will be slow and quiet.

Moments that feel ordinary now will become memories you would give anything to relive. 

So when they ask for help when they cry out for you when they reach for your hand take the moment. 

Because one day they won’t need you like this again and you will miss it more than you ever thought you would.

 SashaGautreaux

 

 

Happy Birthday Austin!

 

I posted this last year, for Austin's birthday.  I wonder if I can repost it?  I would add all of the same photos as I did last year.   

I am in Maine ay Austin's house, working on my laptop.   Maybe when I get home I can do more when using my desk top.

I just always remember Austin's birth as a huge highlight in our loves!  What a joyous day that was!