Symbolism

It's the time of the year when I start reading too much symbolism in things. I guess spring is like that.

The fire in Opelika--the mill burning down, what was once the heart of Opelika.

Two red birds chasing eachother in the back yard, confusing the dogs.

Theo the cat hiding in the place between the upper deck and the lower deck, coming out for food. Hiding like Anne Frank.

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Today I realized that it is possible that Luke suffers from depression at times, just like I do. I hate seeing that in him. I know how awful it is and how hard it is to explain this to him.  He said, "I feel sad but don't know why."  I know, baby, I know.

I also realized what a drain it is on the people around someone with these traits. I must have been a huge emotional drain on my parents.  I must keep an eye on him and his moods. He is more like me every day.

The Book Thief--My Favorite Quotes

“Like most misery, it started with apparent happiness.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

I'm nearing the end of The Book Thief and how beautiful this man's words are!  Here are more of my favorites:


“Usually we walk around constantly believing ourselves. "I'm okay" we say. "I'm alright". But sometimes the truth arrives on you and you can't get it off. That's when you realize that sometimes it isn't even an answer--it's a question. Even now, I wonder how much of my life is convinced.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“She was saying goodbye and she didn't even know it.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“I guess humans like to watch a little destruction. Sand castles, houses of cards, that's where they begin. Their great skills is their capacity to escalate.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“She said it out loud, the words distributed into a room that was full of cold air and books. Books everywhere! Each wall was armed with overcrowded yet immaculate shelving. It was barely possible to see paintwork. There were all different styles and sizes of lettering on the spines of the black, the red, the gray, the every-colored books. It was one of the most beautiful things Liesel Meminger had ever seen.

With wonder, she smiled.

That such a room existed!” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“A SMALL PIECE OF TRUTH
I do not carry a sickle or scythe.
I only wear a hooded black robe when it's cold.
And I don't have those skull-like facial features you seem to enjoy pinning on me from a distance. You want to know what I truly look like? I'll help you out. Find yourself a mirror while I continue.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“A halo surrounded the grim reaper nun, Sister Maria. (By the way-I like this human idea of the grim reaper. I like the scythe. It amuses me.)” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

“You’re a human, you should understand self-obsession.” 
― Markus Zusak, The Book Thief

The Boys

My beautiful boys are growing up so fast.  This past week, Luke took a tour of his intermediate school with his third grade class.  He is nervous. He told me, "They only have recess once a week there, Mom."  He looked really upset in general about leaving MVES.  He loves that school.  I do too.  TIS will have to really blow me away right away for me to love it as much as his current one.  I hate that Jake and Luke won't be at the same school next year.  Jake will be moving on up to first grade (he's already on a first grade reading level, and I am thrilled beyond belief about that, since he couldn't read at all when he entered kindergarten). 

Speaking of Jake, he has come a long way in one year.  He disliked his four-year preschool experience and I did too, because of ahem, the personnel, but he is loving his kindergarten teachers (he has two) and now he has an interning teacher.  "She's learning how to be a teacher, Mom."  He also informed me that she had gray fingernails so she must be a vampire. :) 

Jake likes playing Martial Arts games on the Xbox and wants to play baseball soon.

Luke is still into solitary pursuits like Minecraft creation on the Xbox, karate twice a week, and he's looking forward to getting back into swimming and diving lessons this summer. 

This summer, Luke will be NINE.  Jake will be SIX.  In 6 years Luke will get a driver's permit.  In 7 years he can drive on his own.  In 10 years, he'll be in college.

It's going by too fast.  How does one teach their children what they need to know in life to not only get by, but win? This is harder than I expected, for sure.