I miss the fishing...

Myself and baby boy, we like to fish.

We are the best fishing buds.

He knows if he takes me fishing I will not whine

to come home or to move spots if the fish aren't biting.

Myself and baby boy, we do two things well together,

clean and fish.

So, every day that the boy throws the cast,

he calls to tell me how many perch he caught.

Patasa fishing is one of my favorites and baby boy

knows this. However, I have not been able to

coordinate my schedule to meet him for

these little gems of a fish.

Last night he calls to rub in that he caught

40 some odd, perch!!

What?!!!!? oh he is so teasing me!

He keeps promising me that the best month is May

but I know he is telling me that because after

he brags he realizes that I really love some fishing.

However, I really love fishing with BB more than

I love fishing.

Even in the worst of BB's days,

he and I perch fished. It was our time to talk

and we do talk when we cast, and sometimes

we don't. Our fishing days are relaxing because

we can just "be" on the water.

I hope Jilly loves to fish...

How awesome will it be for the three generations of us

to spend a day casting and basking....

Soon, baby boy we will get our schedules

together and cast.

nothing like trying on clothes...

Nothing like trying on clothes to

put you in the mind set to loose weight!

Ugh.... not to mention that the stores on

Perkins rowe were dripping with young cute

lil things with no meat on their bones...

like I was back in the day.

Whatever, I know some of you are saying,

"What is she talking about, 10 pounds to loose, Wish she

would shut up about her 10 pounds..."

Yet again, it is my blog, a lilbit of my world...

and I NEED/WANT TO LOOSE 10 POUNDS!!!

problem is I love to eat, I love to bake, I love to cook...

and those things do not go with the cute lil fashions

I wish I could wear this summer....

Ugh... but today, better motivated..

Have been exercising, walking and riding bike

but the eating thing has got to be curbed.

Like the half of sleeve of chocolate chip cookies

nightly dipped in milk gotta get in my dairies, ya know...

Really I am not fat, I am fluffy going to get

rid of some of that fluff even if it kills me, ya know?

Thanks C for a great day of shopping,

oh and for that big piece of chocolate cake

at LaMadelines...

I have to go away

Don't get your panties all up in a bunch...

I am not really going away.

Let me explain.

You already know I am a deep thinker.

Yesterday just the simple act of riding my bike

that was given to me by my babies

can get me deep-thinking about the Mothers Day

two years ago when they gave it to me.

I was thinking about how deep I mothered.

All up in there lives, making sure they never doubted

that I was watching, doing.

I was thinking about how odd it is to parent grown children

and the mistakes I have made in that challenge.

I was thinking about how now that I have learned some

rules about parenting my grown baby boy

I now also have to learn a new way to parent baby girl

now that she has ventured out into the world of adulthood.

I was thinking that really to mother grown children

you have to take a step back, let them learn on their own.

I have to not give advice unless it is asked and even

then the advice should only be what I would do

and I can't hold it against them if they decide to do things

differently than me. My job with guiding them my way

is done and I have to know that.

So all of this is going through my mind and heart as

I pedal the bike with the ipod buds in my ears.

then Cat Stevens speaks to me on my shuffle list

and he says it so eloquently.

In a sense of the word, I have to go away.

Not in body but in opinion.

My children are grown, my job of guiding them is over.

I have to take a step back, lead by example

and know that the things I have taught them are there.

They are loving and wonderful people.

I am proud of both of them but it is time for me

to take the back seat, button the lips and let them live.

So today I leave this message to all of us with grown children

and most importantly to my babies.

I know I make mistakes but thankfully you guys

have learned the art of forgiveness.

FATHER TO SON

CAT STEVENS

It's not time to make a change, just relax, take it easy

your still young, that's your fault

there's so much you have to know.

Find a girl, settle down, if you want to you can marry

look at me, I am old but I'm happy.

I was once like you are now & I know that's it not easy

to be calm, when you've found somethings going on.

But take your time, think a lot, think of everything you've got

For you will still be here tomorrow but your dreams may not.

How can I try to explain? When I do he turns away again

It's always been the same old story.

From the moment I could talk I was ordered to listen

Now there's a way and I know I have to go away.

All the times that I cried, keeping all the things inside

It is hard, but it's harder to ignore it.

If they were right, I'd agree, but it's them to know, not me.

Now there's a way and I know I have to go away.

I know I have to go.

a new chapter

A new chapter for baby girl.

Yesterday she held in her hand the keys to her apartment

in downtown Thibodaux.

Yes, BG has decided with the support of her parents

that it is time to leave the nest of the Riera's and

make her way to independence.

I thought this day would never come and it has

come too soon. I am so excited for her.

The apartment was a mess, really dirty

so yesterday afternoon we began to clean

and soon it was sure to everyone that this

little apartment has class.

Housed in an old two story home,

the outside leaves little to be desired

the inside, a little diamond in the rough

just like my baby girl.

She is so excited and I for her.

I know this about BG.

She may be slow to make her decisions, even indecisive

often, but once her firm decision is made,

she will not fall back.

My little baby girl will move from her

childhood life into the adult world and will not return.

Never to live again with her parents unless something

disastrous happens. I am happy,

happy for her, happy for me but I know I can't

fool any of you out there.

I may have, lately been looking forward to this day

for the last few months but part of me

still sees her like the little girl with messy hair

who lived in a furry lion king suit most days.

The little girl who had a whole live frog village

going on behind our bathroom cabinet doors.

The little girl who played football as good as the boys

but could be found most days in the bathtub

filled with barbie dolls.

Maternal love is like that, you never see your babies

as fully grown. When you look into their mature faces,

it is still the little children you see.

I love you baby girl and am so happy and proud of you.

which flower are you?

Yesterday while in my glory, reading a scrap magazine

I came across a flower personality profile.

So I read on to see what my favorite flowers say about me.

DAISY- down to earth simplicity. You are organized

and environmentally conscious. Friends appreciate your

loyalty and kindness. You know how to really listen and it

takes a lot to really get you angry.

Hmmmm, that could be me.

I decide to look further into this flower thing.

I love Sunflowers almost as much as I love daisies:

SUNFLOWER- outgoing and determined. Just as this

flower stands strong and sturdy, so does your personality.

You have boundless energy and follow a positive path.

Even though you can tend to be a bit outspoken at times,

you are a true optimist and stand proudly for your beliefs.

Well that surely sounds like me also.

"Wait a minute" I think to myself, I'll bet most of us

are a combo of each of these flowers. I dig further...

DAFFODIL- Free spirited, fun loving, and very creative...

LILY- Peaceful and giving...

BIRD OF PARADISE- Fair to the core...

CHRYSANTHEMUM- Easygoing and casual...

ROSE- Sentimental and good-hearted...

ORCHID- Organized and a lover of all things delicate and elegant...

I then realize the article is a sham.

So vague that I could be either one.

It doesn't matter what your favorite flower is,

you can probably find yourself in any one of them.

What are you?

I choose to believe I am a whole bouquet.

A combination of all of the above as I feel you will

find yourself to be also.

mommy loving

On the day to day, I rarely focus on what has been lost

with Mumsie's dementia.

All of us children love her like a child these days.

We put her under our wing, drag her everywhere,

cater to her, as it should be when you find yourself

at 90 years old with 6 grown children to tend to you.

Yet there are those days that I miss being the child

with a Momma you can call and count on for help.

The momma that can help you out in a pinch.

I am so thankful that we have her and love

the Mumsie she has become.

Sometimes I long for the other momma.

Last night Mumsie called me saying she wasn't feeling good.

I decided to spend the night with her.

I felt like she would be fine but I could tell she was

frightened.

I tucked her in and fixed the sofa bed.

I read while she rested and when I was sure she was fine

I fell asleep thinking about how much momma has changed

over the years.

I fell asleep but during the night I imagine I kicked my

covers off.

I awakened during the early morning hours to

Mumsie tucking in and covering my feet.

Then I missed the old momma strongly.

That momma, however still lives in the little Mumsie

who graces us today.

I felt just like her little girl for a few minutes,

and I slept so good for the rest of the hours I was there.

Enjoy your mother, wherever she may be in her life today.

President's Day

Happy President's Day.

A day for Thanksgiving to those men who have helped

to shape our country into the awesomeness it is today.

Yes, the US of A is still awesome.

It has many problems and every generation has their own

new set of issues but I am so glad I live here.

Where I can make decisions for the day of today.

Where I can come on my trusty little blog and

say what it is I want without worrying about

repercussion except for maybe the people

I happen to blog about on any given day.

I have written before of how I feel about honor

of whatever individual we are calling the President

at any given time.

Whether I like him or not, agree with him or not,

support his decisions or not, I always want to remember

to respect that President.

Today I am most thankful for the fact that

some banks are closed....

Yes you heard it correctly.

Because of this, today I am going to celebrate this

PRESIDENT'S DAY

with my two besties, Laurie and Ann.

Laurie's bank is closed and Ann's is not

but she was able to get off for the day to

play with us at the jewelry show!!!!

Yup, heading out early today for some

friendship loving...

Happy President's Day to all!!!

Friday night INSPIRE

• Yes, spent Friday night at one of my favorite places.
• While some plan their "going out" nights for Friday
• all I dreamed of last night was the cup-cake social
• at my favorite scrap place, INSPIRE owned
• by Ashley Burke

The perfect place to hang out with other ladies even the

younger generation and get our hands dirty.

A place to meet old friends and some bran spanking new ones

where talked loud and laughed even louder.

Jillian's coming has sparked a new interest in my KD.

I invited her to the cupcake social and I am so glad

she took me up on the offer.

We had a great time making our projects and bonding.

Can't wait until Jilly-bean is old enough to play with us, too.

Check out our projects.

What the camera can't show is the fun and many topics

of conversation that went around the store.

That is probably best....

What happens at INSPIRE stays at INSPIRE

well, except for the projects, those we got to take home!

Wisdom

This morning I sit here with Trixie in my lap

and Wisdom is on my mind.

"TO BE UNDERSTOOD AS TO UNDERSTAND"

Would it not be the most perfect world,

full of perfect relationships if we all had

the understanding of all and were understood

without having to explain.

I imagine that is part of what heaven is.

Finally having the answers and understanding all the

questions of the human world.

Age is the best teacher of wisdom.

That is, if you listen and learn from the world and others.

If you refuse to grow up and see things through different

eyes then I think you stay stuck.

I don't want to be stuck.

The older I get the more patience I seem to have.

I am imperfect, though.

I still gossip, talk negatively about others,

on the other hand, I am sometimes the one

who will defend the worst, have the back of

someone who needs it.

In my years I have began to look at all angles

of a situation, I try and place myself in the shoes of

others before I make a decision to disagree

with the way some people think or live.

I do know this.

I am a better person at 47 than I was at 25.

I am a more caring individual than I was at 21.

I sometimes go out on a limb, against the grain

to defend some from gossip when I can see

a situation different from most.

So today, I focus on wisdom.

I ask God today for a wise heart...

well, and more years to get it right...

In my imperfection I doubt heaven is ready for me yet.

;^)

If your going through hell...

Today my friend, Patricia is undergoing surgery

for the dreaded big C.

Yes at the age of 42 she is faced with breast cancer.

Her future is uncertain until this surgery is over

and all the information is gathered from biopsies

and tissue that will be removed today.

So many face such uncertainty in their lives.

Fear of the unknown is a hell in itself and so today,

I dedicate this blog and lyrics to my P.

and all who else face uncertainty

IF YOUR GOING THROUGH HELL KEEP ON GOING,

DON'T SLOW DOWN, IF YOUR SCARED DON'T SHOW IT,

YOU MIGHT GET OUT BEFORE THE DEVIL

EVEN KNOWS YOUR NAME.

IF YOUR GOING THROUGH HELL FACE THAT FIRE

WALK RIGHT THROUGH,

YOU MIGHT GET OUT BEFORE THE DEVIL

EVEN KNOWS YOUR NAME.

-rodney atkins-

feeling nostalgic lately..

I have never really suffered from the fact that my nest is

almost empty. I am proud that one of the babies is

independent and the other is finding her way there.

I don't long for the old days very often.

I like being the Mother of two grown children.

Having said all of this, I still have my moments

when I miss the days of raising the babies.

On Sunday, while sitting in church

it seems that everyone sitting next to me had

a baby or a child either sleeping in their arms

or screaming to get loose.

Church always gets my memory going.

It was always the one place that I felt the closest

to the babies. There they had to sit quietly by

me and allow me to share the love I had for them.

They were often seen hugging on me,

allowing me to caress their hands.

They tell me now that it was out of pure boredom

and not wanting to be there.

For me, it was memories that I will cherish forever.

It is sometimes hard to see these two rugrats in the adults

they now are. I guess that is why this week I have missed

the little ones more.

Baby girl, soon to be flying from the nest to find her way

in the world knowing that her family home will

now just be her safety net for when she needs some loving,

food, or quiet time.

Yet, when I look at her sometimes, just for seconds,

this is the one I see in her face.

It is the way with Mothers...

Baby boy, soon to hold his own precious baby girl in

his own arms is a long way away from this little

boy in this picture. I so look forward to

sometimes sit in church with his own little girl

and share with her how I had to rub his hand from palm

to fingertip for an hour just to keep him still.

I hope to hold her own little hand in mines as

I rub her palm. I want to feel her little cheek

on my shoulder as she falls asleep to the sound

of music in what will become her family church.

Of course, thinking of the baby's growing up years

has me also remembering the days of my own

childhood that I spent in this home.

Lately I have wondered, because we had so many

homes while my babies were growing up,

would they have the nostalgic feelings that I do of this home.

I realized this week that it is not so much the building

we called home but the people who lived with them

in these homes.

I pray that wherever HOBL and I are,

will be where the babies remember their childhoods.

HOME, may they always know the road

that leads them there.

Happy V. Day!

I was looking back on my blog archives

trying to remember what I have posted in the past

so as not to repeat any stories.

I cannot believe that I have never posted my

favorite Valentine story about HOBL and I.

Only red letters can serve the purpose here:

BACK IN THE DAY WHEN HOBL AND I

WERE YOUNG AND POOR WE CELEBRATED

V. DAY.

THE FIRST YEAR WHEN HE CAME OUT THE ARMY

AND I WAS A NEW NURSE WITH A CAR NOTE

THAT TOOK A WHOLE PAYCHECK TO PAY,

MONEY WAS MORE THAN TIGHT. IT WAS NOT

AVAILABLE.

HOBL SUGGESTED WE DRIVE TO THE K&B

IN LAROSE AND LOOK AT THE VALENTINE STUFF.

EVEN IF WE COULD NOT BUY WE COULD LOOK.

ONCE THERE HE SUGGESTED THAT

WE LOOK AT ALL THE CARDS AND FIND

THE PERFECT ONE THAT WE WOULD GIVE EACH

OTHER IF WE COULD AFFORD TO BUY IT.

WE SPENT AN HOUR THERE.

YES, MY HOBL, THE ONE THAT NO ONE

WOULD THINK OF AS THE ROMANTIC,

AFTER AN HOUR FOUND ME THE MOST PERFECT

CARD AND LET ME READ IT.

I DID THE SAME.

WE THEN PLACED THEM BACK IN THEIR

SHELF SPOT AND LEFT.

WE NEVER REALLY SPOKE ABOUT IT

AS WE GOT INTO THE 280-ZX THAT

I COULD NOT AFFORD AND DROVE HOME.

TODAY THERE IS NO VALENTINE THAT

WE COULD NOT AFFORD TO BUY FOR THE OTHER

YET THAT ONE IS STILL MY FAVORITE

VALENTINES DAY EVER.

ONE OF MY FAVORITE TIMES IN OUR LIVES.

Happy Valentines Day to all!

SA Feb. 12th

JUST TRUST YOURSELF...

Today's challenge in SA has always been one of my favorites.

The first time i took the simple abundance challenge

this is the picture I framed and placed on my bedside.

It is still framed now in my scraproom.

In the reading it talks about going back to when you were 10.

I love the way the reading takes you back with the

questions it asks of you.

If you are like me, and had a wonderful childhood

where you felt safe and happy, the challenge

is a wonderful one.

When going back into my childhood I remember

just how much I loved it. A time when there

were no worries, when you trusted yourself because

there were people who loved you making all the

big and important decisions for you.

I hope that if ever my babies take the SA

challenge that their memories of 10 are

good, happy times when they felt safe.

If we give that to our children,

that sense of safety, peace, and happiness

it really is all they need.

These simple things can make for such

a happy adult.

...So do you remember the smell of Play-dough...

do you remember your favorite color in the crayola pack...

go down memory lane, write your memories down.

They will bring you comfort on the road

of comfort and joy.

Woman of God Conference

I had been approached a few months ago

about speaking at a Woman of God conference.

Yesterday again, I received a return call

taking me up on the offer I made months ago.

Everyone knows how I suffer from diarrhea of the mouth

and I often tease on how if you give me a

microphone and an audience, I am there.

Honestly, I have not done a motivational speech

or a faith-based talk in some time.

I am energized by this offer.

It will be the first I do since my back surgery.

This one will be a challenge for me.

Unlike ones I have done in the past

that were for teenagers or Alanon groups,

this one will be based on my Faith.

There are guidelines I was given by the

Coordinator of the Woman of God conferences.

I am excited, I am preparing, I am going to do it.

This is something I have always enjoyed

and because this one comes with guidelines

and a time limit I am motivated in a way I have

not been in a while.

I also now have the desire to get more involved in this

organization that I have heard of but really haven't

participated in or know much about.

So as I prepare for my testimony on March 29th

I feel an old feeling that I haven't felt in some time,

excitement of giving back to others, paying it forward

for all the miracles that I have been blessed with.

Happy Birthday, C..

I LOVE YOU MORE!

7 years ago today

Today is 7 years that BB decided to go into

rehab. and kick the habit of drug addiction.

It would be easier for some to just forget this day.

Yet in the Riera home it will always be a day

of new life. Not just for BB but for all of us Riera's.

Our small family of 4 was in terrific pain,

scared and trying to find a way to go forward

when one of our own was dying.

Baby Girl played a most important part in

his finding sobriety and in the day to day mundane

world we sometimes forget to place the accomplishments

of these two children on a pedestal.

BG decided that it was easier to not have a brother

at all than to have a brother that was not committed

to her and the betterment of the family.

She at the young age of 14 had to watch her

Mother not be able to pull her body out of bed,

to hold her as she cried. She had to watch her

Daddy's anger of her brother yet she was the strongest.

She decided to just pretend he didn't exist.

BB would call me in his stupor and beg me to have

BG speak with him and she would not relent.

It was in this way that helped BB find sobriety.

BG sometimes gets labeled as the "hard ass"

of the family however, in a lot of ways she is just like me.

She believes in standing by her word but forgiving

when you make the changes that need to happen

to better yourself.

It was in her forgiveness of her brother

that I believe some days kept him sober.

BB's job of sobriety was hard in the beginning.

Hard to watch as his parent.

BG became his best friend and stood beside him

through his first 2 years as his best friend.

So today we celebrate the wonderful accomplishment of

BB but we also celebrate the silent hero of

his sister who doesn't get recognition as much

as she should on a day like today.

I sit here and remember this day 7 years ago

and I am thankful to all,

to HOBL, to BG and to BB

who carried me through the hard times.

To the groups of AA and Alanon who became

our families when we needed them the most.

I, the mother of these two children, am

the luckiest of all.

Happy Birthday to Baby boy,

Thank you Baby girl.

stronger than i thought

I came across this beautiful piece of artwork this morning

while checking the many blogs I read.

This, posted by a Mother of two young girls

who is fighting metastatic breast cancer.

BB asks me often, "Mom why do all your friends

have some kind of illness?"

Many times I do not have an answer.

This morning I realize the reason is that God

puts me in these friends lives because

he knows in their future they will possibly

need a friend like me. The kind who is

all over their space ready to give to them

and their families whether they want it or not.

I do believe I have some subconscious, selfish motives in

these friendships because it is only in giving back

to others that I truly see how fortunate I have

and continue to be.

I mean it puts life into perspective for me.

Like, really, do I have a right to complain about

my back issues when my sister suffers in

unimaginable pain as she tries to come back

from an infection in both knees?

Do I have a right to complain when Dev.

fights for her life with bone cancer and the

loss of her own child.

Do I have a right to complain when

Gina B. died not being able to scratch her

own nose but never lost the smile to her face?

Do I have a right to complain when P.

deals with the news of cancer and the

mental games that comes with that diagnosis?

My answer is, Yes sometimes it is okay to complain

as long as I pick up the pieces after my tantrum

and realize that I am more than that.

I am stronger than I thought I was.

I read my Mission statement and realize

that my purpose in this world, my

purpose for God sparing my life

is not to sit in self-pity and waste my life.

It is to give back more than I get.

I am back on tract.

Visited my school yesterday, saw many of my friends,

visited my "special class"

danced with my C.S. as we did many days while working

and remembered why I love that job.

My mind is set on a goal, I choose not to loose it again.

SHE WAS STRONGER THAN SHE THOUGHT

Yay for me!

Saw the infamous Dr. Donner today and he

was quite pleased with my attitude when

compared to last month and very excited

to tell me that my Ct scan looks so darn good!

Much calcium deposits between the bones

that was not there a month ago....

It is soft bone and a full fusion could take

a full year to be considered solid

but the way it looks today means I should

have complete fusion without problems.

So now the next 6 weeks will be physical therapy,

exercise, getting my body to return to work

my projected return date right now is March 21st.

I will see Doc on the 17th and the final decision will

be made but this lil auntie is a happy girl this evening.

Thanks to all the praying that people have been doing

because I choose to believe that this recovery and

another chance at returning to school nursing

a miracle brought on by much praying from those I love.

all ready for Jillian...

Yesterday evening HOBL and I spent the day with

Baby boy and Kd, watched the superbowl at

kd's parents house but the thing that really excited me

was the fact that all is ready for Jillian's coming.

Of course, we all want her to stay where she is until

she is healthy enough to be born without complications

but the anticipation of her coming is beginning

to be felt by all of us, especially KD.

I mean, can we say too much time on her hands when

she can bling baby wipe holders and pacifiers....

The bed sits all ready for the Jilly-bean to come home.

her shoes are all lined up in a row...

Poor little girl will not have time to even try on

all this 0 to 6 month clothing unless

her momma changes her every time she feeds her...

Are we sure she is a girl... she better be! lol

This is HOBL, aka gramps talking to Jilly bean...

How peaceful is this little space for our girl to

grow up in...

She has her CD player all lines up with Rock lullabyes

yes, rock lullabyes, there is Journey, Tool...

so soothing and beautiful.

The necessities of her cleanliness sits here

all ready for diaper changing business...

There are times in my day when I forget that I am

about to be a Mumsie and then I remember

and I get all giddy inside, like when you think

of an upcoming vacation.

I do believe this vacation will last a long, long time.

5 more weeks...

Your parents are ready, Jilly-bean

there is nothing you shall want.

the attraction to auntie Lil's house

I am not sure what drives these kids to love

coming to their auntie Lil's house.

It isn't like we have anything fun to do,

it isn't like I have the newest games

and they are not allowed, while visiting to play

on computers at auntie Lil's

because that takes away from my time with them.

So last week when three of the Plaisance kids

came to stay a few hours with Auntie Lil

I decided to capture the visit.

What was the fun, was it the brownies I made them?

Nope, I was critiqued about the nuts I put in them.

Was it the Pizza, nope it wasn't the kind they liked,

except for Lucy she is a trooper...

oh and Ellie likes the crust so that was all good.

We worked on pyramids:

and posed for the final product.

We watched some Sponge Bob...

Well all of them actually that were on Demand

because this little pixie loves her sponge bob...

We played "lead the blind" with my snuggie...

yes, she led him right into the grandfather clock.

We demanded more sponge bob and ate lots of Pizza Crust.

We practiced Lady GaGa and Lu had my attention

as she showed me all her cheering moves...

We practiced our winking as Lu practiced taking pictures...

We posed like models...

.... and their favorite game ever at Auntie Lil's house,

we played "don't move" many, many times.

The game my own father played with his own children

and grandchildren. It consists of lightly touching their

faces with my fingers while saying "don't move, don't move"

over and over until my fingers find their way into

their ears.....

If they move they loose...

They loooovvvveeee this game and are

so competitive that they make me keep scores.

As their parents pack them up to head back to

Golden Meadow I already miss them

and realize maybe what they love the most

about Auntie Lil's house is that no matter

what they do, they have my full attention

a viewing audience that loves them tremendously.

I hope whatever home I ever live in

they have fond memories of days gone by

spent doing nothing important and everything fun.

PINK DOVE

(myself and Reggie, cousin at 4)

Last night as I prepared for the "bath"

I opened a new box of pink Dove soap.

I took a big wift of the wonderful aroma

and immediately was brought back to a place

that was my safe place while going through cancer.

My aunt Ga-Gald and Uncle Red's home was

that safe place. When I was there, awaiting

the doctors appointments and hospital stays

that were going to cause havoc on my body,

I felt safe. It is where I encountered my first

bar of Pink Dove.

I believed as a child that my aunt and uncle were rich.

At my home that was always filled with many

mouths to feed we only had the soap that happened

to be on sale that week. Usually Dial was the cheapest.

Yet in Chalmette, they used only Pink Dove.

I awaited the evening that would take me into

their elegant bathroom for the smell and lather

of the Pink soap.

I stayed in the tub for long periods of time,

wishing that at my house we could have Dove.

I never asked for it, it wasn't something you

shared with your parents.

I know if I had I would have had it.

Yet I didn't want it at my house.

Yes I was as deep as I am now as a little child.

I wanted my Griffin house to be where

the soap was used because it brought me

comfort at a time when I had no control over

what happened to me.

As I sat in the hospital of Touro, awaiting

to be taken from my parents into a surgical suite

where they would poke and prod me,

catheterize and x-ray me,

I could smell the aroma of Pink Dove soap

on my skin and I felt comforted.

It is probably no surprise to all of you followers

that I now, and have since I am an adult, only

buy and use Dove soap.

It is not always the pink type.

The new green and orange are some of my favorites

but it is only in the scent of the Pink bar

that brings me back to the safe place of my childhood.

What a lucky little girl I was!