the little (condo) flower

Dear Christian,

This is the first flower you picked for me. You picked it when you walked the dog with Papa last Thursday. Papa knew I was in knots over work and I had been working late for the past couple of weeks. Papa was so sweet and I think he's teaching you life's great lessons bit by bit - to be considerate and thoughtful, to be respectful to your elders, to be kind to animals... Both of you are my favorite guys and I cannot even begin to tell you how much you have impacted my life. How life "makes sense" now and how WORK could even make sense now. It's incredible, the difference you make in our lives.

Mama may not be the best mama in the world and you will soon find out that she's sometimes a worrywort. She worries about how she's not bringing out the best in you, how she's not putting in her best for the household, how she's not cooking enough, how she's not making the home the most comfortable place you two can possibly live, how she's not getting ahead in her career by skipping all the schmoozing sessions and etc etc etc.... but i want you guys to know that at the end of a tiresome day, a toothy grin and a dimpled smile from you, a kiss from Papa, a great, unexpected (and sometimes chokingingly tight) hug from you (and oftentimes from Papa) make me want to throw away all stupid thoughts and embrace life so I can give you the best of me, just as you've given me the best in life.

p.s. we are heading to Paris in less than two weeks. mama (and papa too, i'm sure) wants to be the first to take you to see Paris. not only do we want you to immerse in the grandeur of a beautiful and romantic city but we want you to know that no matter what, you will always be loved by us.

With love,
Mama