Daughters and Mothers
May 9, 2010
My friend Laura lost her sweet mother Rosemary nearly two years ago. On a walk together recently, Laura confided that although she thought maybe the pain would subside, it hasn’t gotten easier. I believe her. Rosemary was a lot like my mom…. Young and stylish for her age, gregarious, loving life with her husband, completely head over heels in love with her grandchildren. So when Laura’s son Pierson went off to kindergarten and when daughter Jessica says a new word, Laura longs for Rosemary to be ther for the joy, the milestones.
I’m convinced that Mother’s Day must be the most emotional holiday on the planet and there are no days so powerful as the first Mother’s Day as a new mom or the first Mother’s Day without Mom. As for me, I’ve experienced only the magic of the first. And yes, I dread the second. Perhaps Libby Copland — in her loving tribute to her new daughter — has gotten me thinking as she says “Isn’t it strange how time compresses, how you can be nostalgic for a thing even as you’re in the midst of it?”
In the morning, I will head to California with my mother and my five year old daughter…it’s a work trip for me ultimately, but we’ll squeeze in some sun, sand and priceless together time… simply because we can.
Paper Doll Revelations
May 1, 2010
She sat on my lap in my office chair like she so often does, this time with book in hand..”Will you read this to me?” Often, honestly, I ask for a few more minutes. Sometimes, like that night (fortunately), we open the book and start to read. This was not just any ordinary book. It was a Disney Princess picture book of cut out paper dolls, AND mini cut out abridged version storybooks about Ariel, Cinderella, and fill-in-the-blank-princesses-who-happened-to-be-named-Mia.
It was this fill in the blank story that we began to tell. Princess Mia, describing herself, “likes dolls, Littlest Pet Shop, PollyPockets. She has a big brother who likes cars. Her daddy likes to tell silly stories. Her mommy likes to….hmm work.”
Ok, ouch.
Queen Me: “Ok, really Mia, don’t we read stories (as i’m thinking to myself “Like we’re doing right now!”).
Princess Mia: “You don’t read to me enough.”
Fortunately for me — lest I go slit my wrists out of guilt — she listed off all the things we do together — family walks, swimming, snuggling, eating. But made it abundantly clear that I couldn’t get away with the suggestion that we read together.
Ever been punched in the gut by the truth — through the mouths of your babies? Guess who made a mid-year resolutions right then and there to read one book a day together, each and every day…yep.
“I’m King of the Geeks – I Mean World”
April 30, 2010
The self-aclaimed king himself James Cameron of Avatar and Titanic fame stopped by the Newseum this week to pay tribute to students from across the country who worked their tails off to come up with innovative solutions (on the Microsoft platform) to solve societal problems… from global warming to cleaning up the oceans to addressing gender equality. These teams were amazing. There was no one they’d rather show their work to than James Cameron, the ultimate example of groundbreaking innovation.
He was gracious, he was sincere, and he reiterated the message of how important technology and science careers are to our continued success as a nation and a culture.
5 Years Old
January 15, 2010
“Mama, am I still the littlest in the Klause family?”
“On my birthday I want to go to the spa and pick out my nailpolish and your nailpolish….You have to wear what I choose for you..”
Color choice for Mama..sort of Goth meets TidyBowl
Lady Gaga
Speed of Sound
October 20, 2009
It came and went so quickly….
I could be talking about our 20th High School class reunion, and in part, I am. It was an evening of laid back, unpretentious goodness.
But I’m also talking about the last 20 years of life. wow. It actually hit me that weekend. There is only one chance at life. No do-overs (for the most part). And it goes by fast. The decisions we make in our late teens and 20s will impact us in one way or another for years to come. In schooling. Love life. Career choices. I am stating the obvious. Yet, it’s not until you get to your mid 30s that you can really look back and see the collective impact of a number of choices along the way of life. Starting with..where to go off to school? And then…What job to take? Can I move away from the only thing I know as home? How long to stay at each job? If the second date could be worth it? With whom to stay in touch?
We attempt to reflect and simultaneously tell our selves there is no time to look back. Yet, we are where we are and who we are because of the big and small decisions along the road – and a big dose of Sovereignty that we (at least I) can’t quite explain. I’ve realized since that reunion weekend how fortunate I have been to have certain people in my life over the first half of it. How I am, in part, who I am because of role they have played in my life. Despite some of my choices, they have truly been God’s gracious gifts to me.
The coming years will speed by as my daughter grows into her own woman. How I wish to help her avoid some of the pain and angst it may take along her way, as she blossoms into who she is in Christ and figures out her own path. In typical Mia fashion, she’ll likely have some surprises for us — maybe rejecting the safe, the staid, the predictable…
She’s got “her whole life ahead of her” we so easily say.. Yet it will move lightening fast. I just know it. God, give her meaning. And help her mom continue to find it afresh in her own second half of life.
Things that make you go “Hmmmm…”
July 5, 2009
Overheard this week on the stairs at the House of Klause….
G: Mia, when you grow up you’re going to have really big boobies. I’m not but you are because girls do and boys don’t”
M: Well, Daddy does..
Working Girl
May 23, 2009
Our Microsoft internal site, MSW, this week had a great story on Lisa Gurry, a long time Microsoft employee who was recently named one of the top 30 Working mothers, along with Michelle Obama, by Working Mother magazine. It highlighted for me the balance, real life struggles and success of some smart women, but it reminded me of the benefit of working for Microsoft where flexibility is a reality and a huge benefit.
It’s a nice tribute that showcases the complexities that Lisa now juggles. The internal site notes:
One of the questions Gurry was asked on stage (at the Working Mothers event) was whether she considered technological advances in the workplace a good thing or a bad thing when it comes to work-life balance. She answered, enthusiastically, that without laptops, mobile phones, and other mobile devices and connectivity, “many of us wouldn’t have the flexibility we have today.” “One of the reasons I value [Microsoft] is that we are able to do some special activities with Taylor while having a little bit of a flexible work arrangement. And Microsoft insurance has been an absolute gift,” Gurry said. “We would not be able to give her the care that she was getting otherwise. I’ve always been a very grateful Microsoft employee, but I’ve never been more grateful than in my current situation.”
Muslims, Christians and Juice
March 17, 2009
She really sings with conviction, although she may not know what it all means…but give her a few years and it will all come gushing back… Thanks to her amazing K-3 teacher Mrs. Murphy at Oak Hill Christian School, everything is learned through song, everything! Planets, oceans, Bible verses…and of course, the countries of Asia…
America the Beautiful…
January 31, 2009
One of my favorite blogs out there is Motherlode at the New York Times, by Lisa Belkin. She keeps it simple but seems to be able to weave significance, pop culture, and every day honesty into her posts. There are a few I’ve really liked recently about keeping kids home from school (or awake past bedtime) for significance sake. She did one back in November around summer’s highlights, including the conventions…
Seems the timing for doing the same thing with my little ones was upon us this month when we escaped the mayhem of the city and instead decided to stay home from school at Nana and PopPop’s house to witness our nation’s historic transfer of power, the Inauguration of Barack Obama. Being little, my munchkins preferred playing with their barbies and cars instead of listening to a swearing in, but I forced them to pose, flags in hand, in front of the TV so that I had something to remember and show them later. The best picture really ended up being when Aretha Franklin, big grey hat ‘n all, was about to sing.
Little Patriots
Say it Isn’t So….
January 8, 2009
Little Connor James Neff died yesterday. Here is the story we received through email from my Aunt Norma Jean’s sister Nancy….
Connor is safely home with Jesus now. This morning when they took him off the respirator his lungs collapsed. That was the turning point. They took all the machines away, and Kelly held Connor on the rocking chair, and Jim knelt beside her, whispering to Connor. Bob and Pam and NJ and Larry (all grandparents) were there, and Connor’s heart stopped at about 11:20 this morning.
Bob and Pam are having lunch with NJ and Larry at their house. Jim and Kelly asked them to take all their things from the Ronald McDonald room, where they were staying, to their house before Jim and Kelly go there, and to put the baby things in the nursery and close the door. Norma Jean is expecting Jim and Kelly to come to their house this afternoon before they go home.
My heart aches for the parents going home to an empty nursery. Such wonderful expectations, and now such a different reality to deal with. Connor is safe, and we are sad.
so sad.