Freedom is nothing else but a chance to be better.

-Albert Camus

from: No Limits But the Sky

The future doesn't lie ahead of you,
waiting to happen.
It lies deep inside of you,
waiting to be discovered.

So invite the unexpected.
It won't care if you're not the perfect host.

Remember the "kiss it up to God" saying? After a piece of chocolate sailed to the concrete instead of into your teeth, a thought, for a half a second, and then: kiss it up to God and eat it. God will save you! I still do it. How can I waste good chocolate?

Today, I took 4 young kids out for a ride on bikes. My niece and her friend who are two slightly clumsy, stary-eyed-for-each-other kids, helmets lopsided on both of their heads; my 10 year old who could not wait to be finished and my 10 year old cousin who looked at the sky more than the road or the other bikers, runners, walkers, skaters and cars!

We started with enthusiasm and ended with prayers.

I shouted "stay on the right", "pass on the left", "watch the other bikers", "stay in the bike lane", "go faster", "slow up", "no sudden stopping!" until I resigned myself to half kiss this all up to God.
"Please don't let anyone get hit by a car" , I begged. "Please keep us free from crashes". I threw in a couple of Hail Mary's and Our Father's when I realized it was Sunday and past Mass time. Surely, He would not allow a child to endure trouble due to my mortal sin. I remembered my chocolate. I remembered how faith and asking turns into reality. I took a deep breath and said "your doing great guys"! And I meant it.

We rode for 4 1/2 miles and then another 4. The kids were happy and proud and tired and thirsty. Cold water dribbled down their chins as they gulped.

I said, "Next week, we will get an earlier start so we can make 11:30 am mass". "We can bike to church!"
They all looked at me in silent exhaustion.

Like most of us, they didn't realize when to be grateful for God's good graces and intervention.

I'll have to bring it up some day. I am glad I realized it myself.

Courage uncovers strength,
grace reveals beauty,
time strips away the frivolous,
life layers on experience,
and you have become
magnificent.

From: No Limts But The Sky

The police down here are a bit funny. They look bored. Police cars chase the kids with a loud shreak and stop with a turn. My kids names are written in big black letters on their stark white paper tablets. Italian Kids. Italian City Kids. Summer Only kids. Kids. Must be trouble. I am in hiding in the house. Shades drawn. Beer and wine put away. Glue hidden. I can't have anything around that could make me look guilty of anything. They are exaggerating the degree of trouble the kids are causing. Of course, in front of my kids, I always side with the police. Same goes for teachers, neighbors, and other respect needy individuals. I tell my kids: "Just say, 'yes sir', and do what you are told" to decrease the lengthy "I'll show you who is boss" charades. And I do believe in the whole respect your elders thing. Especially now that I am getting to be a real elder.

The other night my 10 and 13 year olds were out at 9:45 playing, of all things, "cops and robbers", when a neighbor's car alarm went off and she called the real police. She is a hot head. She yelled at them from a crouching hiding position behind a porch chair. Can you imagine? The police came and shone their shiner light in the little kid's faces. One of the little girls was hysterical crying. Anyway..they chased everyone inside after making them apologize to the neighbor. I could not help but imagine them in a fitful sleep having fantasy dreams of shooting their guns some day.

The next time the kids play "cops and robbers" no one wants to be the cops. Ut Oh!

Last night, I got called because son #3 was pool hopping after curfew at a condominium complex around the corner on a dare. Maybe it was a double dare since this was his first time. Do boys do dare and double dare or just girls? I was mortified. I was nervous about their safety. My son stood there in his boxer shorts, no shoes, soaking wet, shivering and crying in front of two police officers and an 80 year old guard. He looked guilty of something.

Apparently, the older kids said there are way better places to swim. WHAT???!!!

I thought, for just a moment, of joining them in the middle of some night but then remembered my age and familial rank.

Tonight the neighborhood is quiet and serene and my kids are in before curfew. Glad these local cops keep everything nice and safe and quiet. I am also glad the kids are in with me...maybe we'll play some scrabble.