Incident with an Ant and Other Stories

So, it's been over a year since I last blogged. I find myself in need of a creative outlet these days. Writing has always been a sincere passion of mine, since I was in 4th grade and journaling in Eddie Fitzgerald's class, moments and a teacher I will never forget. I still have that blue spiral journal somewhere. My relationship with writing evolved into a much more complex one when I started teaching. Carl once told me that he didn't want to teach guitar lessons because having to teach other people the mechanics of something he loves puts a slight damper on its appeal. I understand what he means now. But, I owe it to my relationship with writing to at least write once in a while, so I am picking up with this blog once again.

I begin with a story. My daughter turned two a week ago Saturday. We were driving home from Taco Villa when she burst into these very real tears, screaming, "It bit me! The ant bit me!" I sort of freaked out, because she was obviously upset. I drove to my mom's house about 2 minutes away, parked, and got out. I gave her car seat a quick glance before getting her out of it. She was still screaming and crying about the ant. I tried to get her to tell me what hurt, but she just kept repeating the line about the ant. Finally, I got her to actually speak. "It's gonna get Cannon! On his seat!" she said through tears. I looked at Cannon, who was happy as a lark, and noticed a small fly on his seat. I sort of wanted to laugh at this point, but I held it as I tried to explain to K that there was no ant, just a fly that can't hurt her. She screamed as I put her back in her seat. K is just like me, according to almost everyone who knows her. I was afraid of flies until I was like 7.

A lot has happened in a year. We have a new addition to our family, a son named Cannon Van. He made me realize that moms and dads have this wonderful ability to love their children the same amount. When I got pregnant with Cannon, I remember being afraid that I couldn't love anyone as much as I love K. She lights up my whole world. But when Cannon came along, I knew there wasn't anything to worry about. He lights up my whole world, too.

I conclude today's segment with a few pics and the promise of more to come. I said I need a creative outlet, and this blog is a start.