Cindy the Librarian

"You look tired," Cindy said to me.

"Yeah," I replied secretly impressed with how well she knew me.

My boys and I met Cindy almost two years ago.  She does a sing-along/story time for kids at the library near our home.  She runs her story time well and my boys started sitting through her performance after just a couple weeks even though they were only two and a half years old.  She started to know us because we showed up to the library quite often.

I don't remember when but shortly after we moved to Massachusetts my parents came for a visit.  I'm guessing it was around Halloween because I remember they were visiting so they could watch the kids trick-or-treat.  I took some work (or maybe I just ran away from home for the day) and my parents took the kids to the library.  My mom, who will talk to just about anyone these days, started talking with Cindy and immediately they were like old friends.

The next time I came into the library Cindy made a big point of learning my name, Jeff and Aaron's names and even Derek's name.  I remember she wrote it on a piece of paper and knew our names from then on.  Every time we went to the library she greeted us with a personal touch. 

Over the last two years the kids have grown to love her.  When we walk into the library they look for her.  They tell her stories about their lives.  They ask her questions.  She always gives them her full attention and respect.  Who knew a librarian would be such a big part of our lives?

So yesterday, when I talked with Cindy, she saw I looked tired.  She could tell something was different.  I told her what was bothering me and she validated everything I was feeling.  She told me about her experience as a mother (her children are now grown) and empathized with how hard parenthood can be.  She told me that she is like Lucy and she always has a sign saying "The doctor is in."  The wonderful thing is that she means it.  She made me feel so much better about myself and my feelings.  If she accepts my insurance maybe I should start seeing her once a week.  Although Lucy only charges five cents so I could probably afford that even if she's out of my network. 

What Will They Be? (Part Three)

It's both exciting and scary to watch my kids' world open up.  Now that school is out and I am home with them most days this summer I understand a parent's need to have structure.  If we were home all day every day with no plans I think I would go insane.  So off to classes we go.  Their interests are growing and it made me want to write another installment of "What Will They Be?" since I keep predicting what their futures will look like.  Watching their interests develop is exciting.

We started taking gymnastics class a couple months ago and we are continuing that.  It works well because Aaron uses some of his limitless energy and Jeff is improving his coordination.  The boys enjoy it and the teachers are great.

Last week we added swimming lessons.  I took the boys to the pool with their new Paw Patrol towels and got them ready to swim.  On the way in Aaron saw a pool with a twisty slide and immediately decided he wanted to do that.  I explained that he had to learn to swim first.  So we went to class and the boys swam with their floaties and pool noodles and had big smiles on their faces.  Both of them enjoyed it and at the end of the class Aaron stated that he could now swim and was ready for the slide.  I explained that when you fall off the slide you splash into the water and your head goes underwater.  That was a little too much for Aaron so the slide will have to wait but he still tells me that he can swim after just one lesson.  (In his defense he did swim without holding on to the teacher.)

A few days ago we started ballet class.  Aaron had been asking for dance for a while so I got him some dance shoes and registered him for class.  Jeff did not want to participate...at least not the first week.  He wanted to watch.  When we arrived at dance class Jeff told the teacher "Aaron is a little scared."  Aaron nodded in agreement.  The teacher asked if Jeff wanted to join class with his brother and he immediately said yes.  He turned to his brother and said, "Aaron, you don't have to be scared because I'll be with you and I'm not scared."  Jeff took Aaron by the hand and walked him into class.

My heart melted.

So gymnastics, swimming and dancing are all a hit with both boys.  Jeff still loves numbers and reading.  Aaron still loves to run non-stop.  Jeff is sweeter than sweet and recently got two dimes for doing something nice for me and asked if he could give one to his brother.  Aaron enjoys singing, cooking and trying to get my not-so-social cat to smell his finger.

My new predictions are that Jeff will do something with finance since he loves numbers so much but will reform the whole banking system to be an honest one because his heart is just that way.  Aaron will be an Olympic runner/swimmer/gymnast and be a vet in his spare time.

Only time will tell if these predictions come true.