For the longest time, Jackson called Jeff “Papa”.  ”Papa, carry me.  Papa, wake me up.  Papa, Papa, Papaaaaa!”    (OK, so he called him “Jeff” too for about a year, but Papa has a much sweeter ring to it, no?)  I’m feeling a little sentimental on this quiet afternoon before Father’s Day thinking about what a fantastic father my husband is. Jackson lucked out in the Papa department that’s for sure.

I never really realized how significant the father-child relationship was until now.  Jeff’s attention is necessary for Jackson’s social-emotional well being.  The gentle touch, firm voice, kind smile, high-five, shared story, rough play, praise and encouragement…. all of it necessary.  And as a mother, I am thankful for every bit of it.  I am in awe of this man and all men who make fatherhood a priority and take this most important job seriously.

The pure happiness and joy Jackson feels when he is with Jeff is beyond measure.  There is no fear or anxiety or guilt or disappointment, only joy.  A connection both simple and complex.

Jeff is playful, adventurous and loves the great outdoors almost as much as Jackson does.  Neither rain, nor sleet, nor gloom of night… Seriously, there  isn’t anything these boys don’t do together.  The time a father spends with his child is precious.  It means something.  Oh how I admire Jackson’s father and all fathers who devote time and energy to really being with their children.  In the moment.  No cell phones, no computers. Intentional interaction.

Just look at them… They look alike don’t they?  They walk alike and have the same expression and mannerisms.  Big and little.  Little and big.  OK, maybe not so little but littler than big.  (For now.)  I love them both with all my heart.  How wonderful that as a mother, I get a little glimpse into the secret society of fatherhood.  If I squint and look at this picture just right, I can almost see Jackson walking on the beach with his son trailing along behind him.  I hope so.  He will have learned from the best.

Happy Father’s Day to the most wonderful Papa I know.  And Happy Father’s Day to ALL of the fabulous Papas who make this world a better place.  You are loved and appreciated.

This is one of my favorite summer recipes.  Everyone who tastes this potato salad loves it.  I mean really loves it.  It’s my mom’s recipe and there are a few tricks that make it extra tasty.

First, you might as well make a big batch so go ahead and scrub 4 or 5 large potatoes, but leave the skin on.  No peeling or chopping the potatoes allowed.  Just throw them into a pot and boil them whole until they are fork tender.

While you’re at it, hard boil and peel four large eggs.

Once the potatoes are cool, peel them very carefully.  You want to save the skins for another day when you can brush them with olive oil, pop ‘em on a baking sheet, and cover them with cheese (dairy free of course), bacon bits and chives and bake until crispy.  YUM, right?

Chop up the potatoes and eggs, one or two stalks of celery and add a good pinch of salt, black pepper, onion powder and a few good shakes of Penzeys dill weed.

Then, add a big dollop of yellow mustard and an even bigger dollop of Miracle Whip.  Did you hear me? Miracle Whip NOT mayonaise.  Miracle Whip.  Just trust me, mmmmkay?

Mix and taste.  Taste and mix.  If you think it needs more of something, then add it.  I’m no Julia Child people, you’ll figure it out.

Put it into a fancy dish and sprinkle some sweet Hungarian paprika on top and chill baby chill.

Serve it with hamburgers or hot dogs or BBQ chicken or sandwiches or by itself.  In the middle of the night.  When no one is looking.

My friend and I joke that we are SO crazy grateful when someone goes out of their way to be kind to our children in regard to their food allergies that it is pathetic. Absolutely  Pa.the.tic.

So the other day, Jackson was invited over to a classmate’s house after school to play.  He was so excited. The sweet boy’s mother and I talked about a food plan ahead of time (Because that’s what food allergy mamas do… we come up with food plans for play dates and soccer snacks and dinner out and vacations and birthday celebrations and classroom parties…) and she told me not to worry.  In fact, this is what she wrote in her email to me:

I will be very, very cautious and careful, adhering to your list (of safe snacks).   Just for your comfort, we have a boy behind us who has a severe peanut allergy and he has been at our house for the past 12 years and so far so good.  So, we will take all precautions…I promise and thanks for trusting us.

Thanks for trusting us???  Seriously?  I know it sounds completely cliche, but no, no, thank YOU. I am extremely grateful not only for these words, but for the deliberate ACTION of inclusion not exclusion. The deliberate ACTION to lift up, not tear down. Wow.  Maybe it’s not so pathetic after all.

I am once again convinced that there are good people in this world who have the power to change things and make ALL the difference.  And the mean people?  The selfish, rude, angry, irritated and put-out people?  Well over time, they just seem to matter less and less.  Pay no mind to the mean people, people and maybe one day, they’ll completely disappear.

I am working with inner city children and families again and it feels like home.  Funny how things happen.

Some mornings, I drive slowly through crowded neighborhoods, past houses with overgrown yards and boarded up windows taking it all in.  Children kick broken beer bottles off the sidewalk on their way to the bus stop.  Trash litters the streets and graffiti covers the crumbling bricks on the side of the school building.

That is what I see.  What I hear is laughter, joyful laughter as students wait outside for the school bell to ring.

And then, the loud muffler of a rusty old Chevy Impala interrupts.  A weary mother dropping her big boy off at school parks in front of the building.  He slams the back door and slings his backpack over his shoulder as his mother slowly begins to pull away.  ”Mommy!” he calls, but she doesn’t her him.

“MOMMMMAY!” he screams louder and she squeals to a stop.  She leans over to look at him.  The boy kisses his right hand and holds it out to his mother.  Then, he kisses his left hand and does the same.

I watch mesmerized and  realize I am holding my breath.

Finally, he kisses both hands and offers them to her like a precious gift.  She smiles at him and waves goodbye.  Her little big boy.

Her smile pierces my heart and I will never forget it.

I’ve been weepy all week long because I miss my mom.  For some reason Mother’s Day is especially difficult for me.  Must be the whole day being just for mothers thing.

Jackson always knows how to make me laugh though.  After sneezing and coughing all over me, he snuggled up and asked me what in the world I wanted for Mother’s Day?

V:  I just want to hold you in my lap like a baby and smother you in kisses, mmmkay?

J:  Mom, seriously, what APPLIANCE do you want?

V:  APPLIANCE?  I don’t really need any APPLIANCES, but thank you.

J:  Trust me, you always need SOME kind of APPLIANCE.  In fact, there is one that you’re forgetting all about.

V:  Really?

J:  Oh yeah.  I won’t tell you what it is, but I will say that its initials are H.A.P. and it has something to do with…popcorn.

This morning we popped a huge bowl of popcorn in my new H.A.P. and it was lovely.

PS… H.A.P.= Hot Air Popper!  Who says Jackson can’t keep a secret?