Taking Flight for Adventure!!

The time has come to take flight like the butterflies and go out into a new world for adventure.  This time, my bags are packed and I am ready to go.  Mid-West here I come!  The first days are with Beth and Will in Iowa and then a short hop to be with Ivy and Heather in Nebraska.  My guess is that I will spend time in very different environments and with very different relating styles. Each will be a special treat and I am honored to be welcomed!  Watch for the stories and photos!!

IVY and ELLIE!! Too Sweet!!

A few months ago, Allison showed me a stuffed elephant she had bought for her friend who was going through chemotheraphy.  It made me laugh when I squeezed the foot and listened to her singing!  No, I don't remember the song, but it was lively.  A few weeks ago, I knew I had to purge more 'stuff' and the elephant needed a new home.  My friend, Heather, in Nebraska has a four year old and I have decided to somewhat adopt them as the daughter/granddaughter I would love to have - so I thought about finding a new home for the elephant.  I packed her up for mailing and sent her winging to a new home.  I also wrote a note with one of my greeting cards using my photos - gosh people love those!!  This one had a pair of pink cowgirl boots. I thought Ivy would like them!  Turns out she has a pair of the boots, named the elephant "Ellie" and it's her best friend.  In fact, she often sleeps with her.  Yesterday Heather took pictures of Ivy and Ellie and sent them to me.  Today I share them with you.  She is a charmer - so full of energy and imagination - a free spirit that many of us long to be.  I hope to go and meet her in person so we can dance together and sprinkle fairy dust all around us.  Make a wish...you never know when it will come true!!  My Guardian Angel, Filaree is such a spirit and everyday, I can feel her coming more alive in ME!!  Just the other day, someone said, "Martie you are such a free spirit!"  Ah to believe other people's perceptions.  Every day a little bit more - Believe and your wishes can come true!!

                                 

To Touch or Not to Touch: There is No Question!!

Meet Ivy and Grandad!  When they went off to the Nebraska State Fair together, there was no doubt that they were connected.  They were sitting and waiting for their ice cream, and Heather (Ivy's Mom) just happened to look over and see the love the two of them shared!  When I talked about photos of hands for Photo Schmoozer, Heather immediately sent this one.  Wonderful!! When I think of attachment, I reflect on the PBS series, "This Emotional Life", hosted by Dan Gilbert.  There was a focus on attachment...or not.  Relationships are how very young children learn about themselves and the people in their world.  Last night, we saw strong evidence of how  only caring for a child 's physical needs and ignoring the emotional needs can cause Attachment disorders and problems throughout life.  Remember Erik Erikson?  He talked to us about the Ages of Man. The first  age was Basic Trust vs. mistrust.  When the children in the Russian orphanage just have their physical needs met, they don't learn to trust that their world is a great place and responsive to them.   They never really have success in developing relationships. This happens not only in Russia - how many children in our own country are fed and cleaned and then left in cribs, high chairs or swings.  How many of them are never really touched with loving hands, soft and gentle words or fond gazes?   Then I remembered Tiffany Field's research years ago about massage with the elderly and infants.  What really impacted me was that the elders GIVING the massage actually benefitted more than the babies receiving it. So do we have any doubt that our babies and US too, deserve the touch connections from those around us??  I 'break' for babies and take the time to make eye contact, touch with words or a gentle gesture, and then I always make sure to 'touch' their parents too by sharing and thanking them for allowing me the gift of time spent with their babies.  Now, I know the time will come when I will get a giant smile and a hug from Ivy...hey, I have never been to Nebraska...yet!!