http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=chtqZYnSG1U

Now, what I call miracles – those unexpected joys that were not on the radar, surprises, or even wishes fulfilled – are not exclusive to spring. But somehow, I notice them more at this time of year. After a long winter, I feel poised for a little “light” magic.

I have been visited by several miracles this week: one medical, one financial, and some in my roles as friend and parent. Maybe because of my age and stage in life, I really don’t take these things for granted anymore. In fact, I look for them, and celebrate even the smallest of small. Like a crocus in the snow. It will be there whether or not we see it, but I think, it’s doing it’s best to get our attention. And life is more fun if we enjoy our miracles along the way. Happy Spring!

If you’d like to learn more about Marie or book her for your next theme party, visit mariegogo.com

I have spent a great deal of time with my feet in the sands of Woodbine Beach the beaches east of her, but I have never until yesterday had the pleasure of meeting Steve Polansky.

I had barely stepped onto the boardwalk and was assessing a way to get to the shoreline (the winter fence has gone up, and without my glasses I was not easily seeing an opening) when I noticed a host of dark-blue, anchored kites flying above me like a chorus of sky fish swimming in unison, up-stream, against a confident easterly wind.

Their beauty against the light-blue, cloud-feathered sky, was “awe”some. It stopped me in my tracks, and I wasn’t the only one. Many folks had halted their journeys to stare at the kites or snap a shot on their phone cameras. One man, however, seemed to be more engaged than the others. He was standing on the sand near the kites with a proper camera in hand, taking shots from many angles. Only then did it occurred to me that these kites had probably not found their way to this spot of sky on their own, and that perhaps this smiling soul was their guardian.

I approached the man and posed this supposition. He affirmed my curiosity. I muttered something about how meditative these lovely creatures were and he said, “Yes, you should try seeing them from the other end.”

Upon that invitation I walked to the rear of the kites and stood for several minutes under their wafting tails. They danced and fluttered in fascinating rhythms, and before long I found myself lying on the sand beneath them, entranced by the delight of these ribbons of fabric beating their dark wings under the pale beyond.

As I lay there, I thought about the man who had brought such a wonder to our beach, and how many mundane steps there are (no doubt) in such an endeavor. I mused over how passionate he must be about these kites, having decided to spend his time transporting them here and setting them up on this chilly, late-Autumn day.

So after basking for some time, I got up and walked across the stretch of sand to the boardwalk where he now sat resting on a bench. We chatted for a few moments and  I heard the enthusiasm in his voice as he spoke about his kites. I told him I would love to bring my daughters down to see the kites some day and as I stood up to continue my walk, he reached in his pocket to and handed me a card – directions to his website which I am now so happy to share with you. http://lightheartedkites.com/

And here is a You Tube video of Steve flying his kites. Absolutely inspirational!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HCNfQ_HOlDc

I hope some of you will get down to the beach with your children before the snow flies. Maybe you will meet Steve.

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email: goodmamasue@gmail.com  and look for new posts weekly.

I let my mind return my many first days and those of my children,  who are now grown, and thought – with neither sorrow nor joy -”That is over for me”.

Still, I am facing a first. In two short weeks I will send one of my children out into the world knowing I will not see her for months. My “baby” is about to embark on a huge travel/work adventure half way across the world. She will not be here for her birthday or Christmas. She will be meeting people I will never know and doing things I may never do, and I couldn’t be happier for her.

People keep saying, “Oh, you will miss her so much.” and I WILL. But she is ready, she is clear, and I will not hold her back with my love of the past. A past in which I watched over her and guided her exploration of life and always had her in my sight.

It’s all new lessons for us now. She’ll be fine…more than fine, and so will I. And so will you…whatever firsts you are facing.

Give yourself a treat and listen to a beautiful song by my dear friend, Lynn. Just click the link below and then find the “First Day of School” title on the right hand side of the page. ENJOY! http://music.cbc.ca/#/artists/LYNN-HARRISON

Also for those of you whose children really are in there very first days of school, Jamie Lee Curtis has written a new children’s book called. My Brave Year of Firsts. It looks lovely.

And every year, when we gather to share songs that we’ve written and those of other songwriters – meshing harmonies with laughter and (truth be told) sometimes tears – I think to myself two things: Great tradition, and Why don’t we do this more often? Why not once a week we abandon our distractions and make a circle of love and music.

Whatever the traditions in your family…hold on to them. Treasure the little moments. Your children will carry them in their hearts for life.

Happy Earth Hour ! (a couple of days late)

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email: goodmamasue@gmail.com  and look for new posts weekly.

Good idea; less struggling more imagining!

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email: goodmamasue@gmail.com  and look for new posts weekly.

http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/03/05/youngest-kids-in-classroom-more-likely-to-be-diagnosed-with-adhd-ubc-study/

Please feel free to leave a comment or send me an email: goodmamasue@gmail.com  and look for new posts weekly.

To enjoy more of Leslie’s creative work, visit her site at: www.lesliesart.ca