Caught in the Spirit
Author: jill
•3:55 PM
Did you watch the Opening Ceremonies of the 2010 Oympic Games in Vancouver? I am so proud to be Canadian. I am proud of our vast land and the people who inhabit it. I would not want to live anywhere else in the world. I love to visit other countries and cultures, but I always love to return home. Anyhow, there are lots of places to visit right in my own country ... lots of places I have not seen yet as a matter of fact.

The athletes parade into the arena, their eyes filled with wonderment and excitement for the possibilities. And the future. They are full of hope and ready to capitalize on their commitment. They have spent their young lives training and dedicating themselves to their sport - motivated by hope of Gold Medal, but they do it for their country, too. Imagine dedicating yourself to something wholly, until finally the day arrives and you get to test yourself. And show off what you can do. They have missed out on school activities, and dates,and parties, and sleepovers. So, for them, this is like the ultimate prom, with friends from around the world. The unfortunate thing is that everyone from your "school" shows up in the same dress.

I am not athletic. I was never a part of any team. I guess I always wanted to make sure my hair looked good and that I did not sweat in front of any cute guys. Silly ... but I was a teenager ... what else can I tell you? I have enjoyed the thrill of athletics through Jonesy and his stories of the glory days. The Junior Maroons were like Gods in our small town ... again, silly ... but we were teenagers ... what else can I say? Jonesy remembers his life revolving around hockey, and his hockey buddies. During hockey season, he had time for school and the Maroons ... and not always prioritized in that order. I think the boys were allowed to be late for school if they had a game out of town the night before ... the Vice Principal was a Junior Maroon veteran himself, you see. Certain benefits were extended, and missing first period to sleep in was one of them.

So, can we all catch the spirit? Not just the spirit of the Olympic Games, but the spirit to fill our own eyes with wonderment. And excite ourselves about the possibilities of our own futures. Make something happen for yourself ... it's never to late ... you're never too young or old to start. Come on ... you can do it! I'm goin to ... 

"I believe the time is right now; to stand tall and make the world proud; I believe together we'll fly; I believe in the power of you and I."

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Addie C. Jones and her Big Brother Husband
Author: jill
•1:48 PM
"I think I'm gonna marry Caiden tomowow," Addie C. told me the other day, as she jumped up and down on the couch, watching me make her lunch.

"Well, you can't marry your brother," I try to explain. She looks bewildered.

"But ... I want to," Addie C. continues, "because I love him."

And she does. A lot.

I studied about Freud's Oedipus Complex when I was in University. Basically, it involves a child's unconscious desire to possess the parent of the opposite sex. Jonesy and I have watched our kids move through this stage in the past, and Addie C. is right on schedule.

She loves hangin' out with the boys, trying to get them to laugh or look her way. "Daddy is gonna love this dress," or "Wait 'til Daddy this shirt ... he's gonna flip out!" are often the first things I hear in the morning. Addie C. waits not very patiently for TT to get home from school. When Addison was learning to talk, she couldn't say Caiden; she said TT. And the nickname has stuck because now we all refer to him as TT or T. As the time for the bus draws nearer, she often spends those last few minutes of quiet trying to think of things he'd like to play with her. And, then the minute her TT comes through the door, she is by his side, begging for attention. 

The thing is ... he doesn't really want to play with her. He is eight years old (practically a man) and most often annoyed by her antics to get his attention. He does not enjoy watching The Mickey Mouse Clubhouse with her, and hates that she wants to be with him all the time. Occasionally he takes pity on her and he will play with his little sister, drawing her into his imagination. This is when she just glows ... until she does not do things the way he demands and then the fun is over. When he choses to do something without her though, she is forced to play with her new bestfriend, Shadow. Now, Shadow first came to keep her company when she was in bed, with the nightlight on. Addie C. would read a story to her baby and her new friend, Shadow. But then she realized that, under the right conditions, Shadow would come out to play during the daytime, too. Until her big brother stomps on poor Shadow as he walks by ... on his way to do something that does not involve Addie C.

I was not aware that the Oedipus Complex could be extended to siblings. Marnie was truly enamoured with her Daddy, but she was not as devoted to her brother as little Addie C. has been. Marnie begged to go to the store with her Dad, play music with him, barbeque with him, do anything with him. On a few occasions, she even chose to stay with him when I went out to grab some groceries. I was heart-broken ... how could my sweet girl abandon me? Shopping was some of our "girly" time together ... occasionally lunch in a restaurant was involved. She wanted to give all that up, to sit around and watch College football on Saturday? I don't get it!!

But, it was short lived because she is all mine again. And, I know Addie C. will return to the "Jones Girls Rule" team soon. But in the meantime, it is hysterical to watch her in action, insisting on gaining her brother's affection and making her Daddy laugh.

And so, the conversation continues.

"Addie, you cannot marry your brother," I tell her. "You'll have to find another man to marry you. Someone who is not your brother." Tears spring to her eyes.

"Okay," she concedes, her head hung low. Suddenly, her head snaps up, those little eyes sparkling again; she has an idea. "What about Daddy? Can I marry him?"
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