holiday birthday poem

Hey Mom :)

So, here's your birthday poem - 

I know you love the holidays and so I thought I'd go with a Christmas theme ~

November Candles

Christmas months both still and bustle
Excitement taunts, pervades, and stays
Leaves still falling; crunched or rustled
An autumn peace, so slow, gives way

Her colors celebrate an ending
Cyclic tones of death soon sleep
Waiting to awaken; rending
The cold repose of dreams so deep

A candle lit in late November
Flickers as a warm embrace
Growing, glowing as she remembers
A man who was a boy and babe

December's morning finds the virgin
Keeping treasures in her heart
A child afraid, yet purely willing
A faith divine in strong regard

A humble man with her is found
As angels soothed; gave hallowed mirth
A strength and blessing; hearts were bound
A pair, so pure, prepared for birth

December's noon finds candles many
But pleasing smiles can soon forget
The traveling couple who nears the city
Fulfilling hopes with promised steps

Christmas months bring back a family
To a place like homes we know
In evening's touch they rested weary
A subtle joy in December's glow

Night befalls our friends and children
Eve becomes a night of dreams
Dancing wishes of gifts now given
As a virgin toils, hopes, and weeps

Midnight waits in our December
Candles light the night with love
Stars remind as they remember
The King descended from above

A mother smiles as morning glistens
Surrounded by an untold wealth
Gifts we give as our hearts listen
To the Man who would soon give himself

I love you Mom; Happy Birthday!

❤ I love you too Daniel! ❤

Thank you so much for my beautiful poem!

never alone

~ map of Kampala, capital city of Uganda, Africa ~

If you're my friend on Facebook, you know I've mentioned this several times already. And I can't thank all of you enough - truly - for your kind comments. But along with all the utter nonsense fun that goes on here, my blog is a journal of sorts, so I'm going to write out this story, and then I'm ready to be done. I feel I'd be ungrateful not to.

You may remember my oldest son Daniel is spending 3 months this summer in Kampala, Uganda, as a research assistant for one of his professors. During the school year, Daniel is a teacher's assistant for this professor at the university he attends. He went with 2 other assistants, and the professor came to oversee their research for a few weeks as well. Daniel has one month to go, and he has that month to himself as the others have left, and he concludes a special project he is working on. And of course, if you know Daniel, part of his "research" included watching every World Cup match. He was born with blood type "International" in his veins (don't ask me how - the rest of us are all "A" negative) and when that is the case, you automatically develop a love for all things futbol. 

When it came to Sunday's Finale' between Spain and the Netherlands, we knew he would be yelling for Spain. I was so happy when Spain won, knowing how pleased Daniel would be :) When his professor called us very late Sunday night to inform us that Kampala had been bombed by terrorists twice in two crowded public areas during the last part of the World Cup Finale'...... and that they had been trying for hours to reach Daniel but no one could contact him...... I felt myself go numb. I am not one to panic. I have pretty strong faith. But terrorist mentality terrifies and INFURIATES me, no matter what part of the world it occurs. And it had just hit where my son was. 

It seemed to take forever. I guess it didn't, it just seemed to. So many of us sending Daniel texts, e-mails, trying to Skype over and over...... to no avail. We knew he had probably watched the game at home and was still sleeping. The 10 hour difference makes communication that much harder. But I also knew he liked going out with friends to pubs or cafes to watch the games. What if this was one of those times? My mind wouldn't let me go there. I e-mailed his sweet friend Alissa because I felt she should know what was going on too, and it was comforting to e-mail back and forth with her. The Mouse, bless his heart, kept watch on any BBC news updates. And then finally - FINALLY! - I received a short text from Daniel's Uganda cell phone that said he was all right.

"I'm fine :) no worries"

That short text was the sweetest text I've ever received. I was so full of gratitude that Daniel was okay. I can't even express it. Heartbroken for all the fatalities and injuries that took place, and for all the families affected in such a cruel, intentional manner. Ugh. But elated that my boy, so many thousands of miles away, was fine. The internet at his house had been wiped out but not too long afterwards, he was able to get to an internet cafe so he could read our e-mails and send us one back. And yesterday, for the first time, I was able to Skype with him and HEAR MY BOY'S VOICE. It was the best feeling in the world to know that my son was alive and well. But it was the most wonderful, indescribable feeling of joy to hear his voice. I will never ever, in my entire life, forget it.

So there are rules he must be careful to obey of course, especially since he is an American. No large crowds, no ex-patriot hang outs, in before dark. I know how much he wants to finish this project, and I know how much he loves the people and the friends he's made. So he has made up his mind to stay. But personally? I can't wait until he is safely back home. And don't for one second think I won't be counting the days. BECAUSE I WILL BE. Even if he leaves to go back to school a week later. I won't even put up a fuss. Unless of course he gets cheeky and just shrugs off the whole terrorist bombing like it really wasn't a big deal. Then I'm afraid I may have to PUNCH HIM IN THE FACE. But for now..... I would be the most ungrateful mom ever if I didn't take a moment to thank God in heaven above, with all my heart, for watching over my boy. For all the times - the countless times - he has traveled all over the world, but never been alone. I know he has never been alone. 

Rafting the Nile  (Daniel is up on his knees in back)

Chicos, les felicito - bien hecho