7 Tips to Parent a Child...and love what you're doing

I've compiled a few helpful child care ideas. They're not new. But it's my take and my application of these fabulous tips. I work as a nanny. I'm a parent and a grandparent. I was a foster parent. I worked in child care for many years.

These tips were not scored easily. There were years of tears, anxiety and more than a little guilt along this journey. I've read tons of materials and learned by trial and error.

This has left me with a few tips that always work. Almost always.

7 Tips to Parent a Child

1. Are you listening to me? When talking to a young child (if you actually want them to get the message), get down on the floor face-to-face, close to them, eye contact, calm voice. This is extremely effective, especially when the message you want to impart is important. If you want them to cooperate, change a behavior or understand your instructions, this is the best maneuver. It's also an effective way to show affection to your young child. It creates a bond. We all reach down to hug our kids, pick them up for a kiss, hold them on our lap, tell them we love them. Each is special in its own way when expressing affection and should be done often. But, getting down on the floor to share ourselves...that's very personal. A big hug and an "I love you" while sitting in their personal living space has impact. It's their world. They will welcome you there. I've found this to be a great way to meet new children with whom I want to develop a rapport. This is important in my line of work as a caregiver/nanny. At first meeting, I sit down on the floor while I'm speaking with the parent. Typically, within a short period of time the child is either sitting near me or on my lap or is bringing me a toy or a book to share. It's magical. It's your child's world.

2. Buy me that! It's a jungle out there when it comes to shopping with young children. It can be an obstacle course. When it comes to the toy aisle at a store, I have tried avoiding it, speeding through it and pretended not to hear the voice of my child imploring me to buy something. While shopping with my youngest daughter, Savannah, one day, I tried something new. Sitting in the cart, she showed interest in a particular toy, a doll, I think. I said, "I can't buy it for you, but would you like to hold it and look at it for a little bit?" She agreed. I insisted that she be careful with the doll and not remove or damage any packaging. After a couple of minutes, I asked her if she was done. She was not. So I told her I would wait another couple of minutes and then the doll would have to go back on the shelf. She agreed and the doll went back. That little experiment was a total success! It worked with her every time. Now this particular child was always considerate, rarely asked for anything for herself and never had a tantrum. Rather unusual, I admit. So, I wondered if it would work with other children who were not so easily convinced. Years later, while caring for one of my foster children, I tried it again. This little girl was a mess. She was two years old, angry, defiant and qualifies as the most difficult child I've ever in my life encountered. Although she required a little more convincing the first time I tried this, bantering back and forth with me a couple of times and giving me the pitiful face, she finally agreed to the conditions. After the first time trying this, shopping became a positive experience for both of us. I have used this tactic many times with many children with absolute success. Often, I just continue shopping, periodically checking with the child as to whether they have finished holding the toy. When they are ready or when it's time for me to check out, whichever comes first, we return the item to its designated shelf space. This also teaches children civility and respect for other people's property. This technique has not failed me yet.

3. Yeast infection on a baby's butt. Many parents know the painful battle zone of yeast infection. It's awful. Often, we don't realize that it is yeast lurking behind our infant's diaper and try different products to heal the dreaded diaper rash. By the time we realize that nothing is working, that poor little baby's butt may be covered with painful, bloody, blister-like lesions. If you've seen it once, you recognize it. The baby is in excruciating pain and is being tortured with each diaper change. Here's a solution that came directly from the mouth of a licensed pediatrician, so I am not practicing medicine without a license. This physician deserves a medal for sharing this magic formula. Mix together in a small container with lid, in approximately equal amounts: Desitin Creamy Diaper Rash Cream (remember the 'creamy', not the original thick version), A&D Ointment and Lotrimin Antifungal Cream. First, don't allow your baby to hang out in a wet or poopy diaper. When you diaper, CLEAN that little tush very gently, with as little wiping as possible. Don't use baby wipes as most of them have alcohol in the solution, which burns. Ouch! The best solution is to dangle your baby (bottom half naked) under a faucet of barely warm water. While holding this wiggly, sometimes slippery little person securely, use your hand to wash away urine and any leftover poop debris. This creates the least amount of friction on that wounded skin.  Use a mild soap then rinse well. Gently pat dry with a soft cloth. VERY CAREFULLY dry baby's butt with a hair dryer. Air should be cool or barely warm. USE CAUTION. It's convenient to just keep the hair dryer by the changing table, as long as it isn't accessible to children. The blowing air dries out the skin and lesions, which helps with healing. Now for the MAGIC! Spread a thin coat of the preparation onto the skin 3-4 times per day.You should see improvement the first day and complete healing likely within three to four days. Your infant will thank you.

4. Maintain boundaries. To some parents, this seems a monumental task. It's not. It's easy, especially if that is how you begin parenting your little toddlers. There's no pain involved and no harsh discipline required. But even if you didn't start the process at a young age, start now. It will be more challenging, but kids are smart and they figure out what makes their life more pleasant. I was not always so enlightened and have parented without the boundary solution and with it. I guarantee the 'with' is so much easier on everyone. All that is necessary is that one get off of one's butt when one wants one's child to do or not do something. Go to the child and speak kindly and clearly. Yelling across the room is pointless for the most part, no matter how many times you repeat yourself. Change their direction, remove them, remove the item. Every time. No room for laziness. No room for being a couch potato or just too busy. If you follow through every time, even when it feels inconvenient, your child will 'get it'. He/she knows that when you say it, you mean it. Just remember that toddlers until about age two and a half to three forget rules and need more consistent reminders. The younger they are means inconsistent understanding and recalling of consequences. By consequences, I DO NOT mean hitting, spanking, embarrassing or humiliating. Children need their parents to parent them. They should not have to parent themselves and figure out what is best for them. The result is confused, angry, miserable children who will make their parents' lives a living hell. They will cry, scream, demand, throw tantrums and, in general, be pretty obnoxious. All that is required is consistent expectations and follow-through from parents/caretakers. The process of setting boundaries may seem exhausting or difficult, but it isn't. And the outcome is a child who feels safe, knows how to operate successfully in his world and who can function happily. Here's an example. While working as a full-time, live-in nanny, my little guy would go marketing with me. During this one trip (I believe he was three), he wanted to walk instead of be in the cart seat. I told him that he could walk only if he stayed right next to me. He proceeded to wander ahead of me. I returned him to my side and told him that if he left my side again, which was the safe place for him to walk, that he would be riding in the cart. He wandered again. I picked him up and placed him in the seat. He was furious! Cried, pouted, stuck out his tongue and tried to kick me. This was not the usual behavior that he exhibited with me. I told him if he kicked again, he wouldn't get his cookie. Background...We shopped at Safeway, who always had a free cookie to give out at the bakery counter. This was his treat after all the shopping was done and before we headed to checkout. He always got a cookie. Back to the story...he tried to kick me again so I said, "No cookie for you today." He didn't believe me until we were standing in checkout without a cookie. He was stunned and couldn't believe it was happening. He apologized. I accepted. He said, "Now can I have a cookie?" Still no cookie. Again, he was furious. Even as we got to the car, he thought I would give in. He remained angry for the ride home. At no time during this difficult trip did I exhibit anger or frustration, though I surely felt both, and I didn't respond to his cries on the way home. By the time we got home, just a few minutes away, he was over it and moved pleasantly through his day, as usual. Never again did I encounter any crankiness, obstinate behavior or angry faces. Never. He always got his cookie. And my 'cookie' was that he knew that if I said something, about anything, I meant it and I would follow through. It was easy to be with him. Always. I spent five full-time years working with this delightful little boy. About a year after retiring from full-time work with this family, I returned for a week's stay while the parents traveled. At one point, this little boy wanted to do something (I can't remember what) and I said , "No, we're not going to do that." He was all ready to argue then he stopped. He sighed and said, "Okay, Ronda." It's two years later and I still fly to their home to provide care a couple of times a year. I always look forward to spending time with this marvelous person, now age seven.

5. Choices. This one is simple. Too many choices without guidelines is confusing and overwhelming to a kid. It also opens the door to parent/child conflict. When we begin to give our toddler/preschooler choices, make it between two things only. For instance, if it's about choosing a clothing item, pick out two outfits or items that you are happy to have them wear. Let them pick. No wrong answer here. If it's a choice between food items, same applies. Make sure you are okay with either decision. No wrong answer. How about whether to go to the park or play with a friend. Again, make sure you are willing to accommodate either decision. The choices can become more complex or significant as they get older. The child feels successful and learns to trust their own decisions. The parent is not stressed. No arguing required.

6. So much crap! Toys, books, papers, markers, crayons, boxes, bins, dolls, puzzles, toy pieces and parts. Young kids love to dump and run. Then move on to the next dump and run. Many children have so many toys, so much stuff, that all they do is empty one basket of toys, walk away and do it again with the next basket. Even the most organized solutions become pointless if there is too much crap.  Too much is confusing and overwhelming. A smaller toy selection and fewer choices makes it possible for a child to actually enjoy the toys they do have. And clean up is so much easier. Try it. Trudge through the accumulation when your child isn't with you. Deciding alone is easier, faster and avoids drama. Toss and organize toys, puzzles, etc., placing all like parts together. Leave just a few things out and available. Place the rest in bins or boxes (well marked as to contents). Store them away. On occasion, box up items that aren't used much and bring something out from storage. My suggestion is to not let the kids know what you're doing or what's stored. They will typically play with what's available. I believe that less helps kids to be more creative, calmer and much happier with the toys and activities they do have on hand.

7. Clean up your room! Sadly, it took many, many years for me to realize that when I said, "Go clean up your room", my kids had no idea how to accomplish it or how to translate my vague expectations. They would go to their room, look around, move a few items around, get distracted, shove a few things under the bed or in the closet and haphazardly cram stuff on their shelves. Naturally, I'd walk in and still see the mess. What I discovered, finally, is that I needed to be a helping supervisor, some balance between being a drill sergeant and just doing it myself.  To begin with, the 'less is best solution' (see number tip  #6 above) is helpful. Also helpful is having a designated room or location for kid stuff, rather than allowing crap to fill every room of the house, every room a toy zone. What is your job as a helping supervisor? It is to tell your child what needs to go on what shelf or other location. One item or type of item at a time. Work together, having your child find and bring to you certain things. Example, "Help me find all of the little cars. We'll put them in this drawer. Let's put all of the books on this shelf. Would you please bring them to me and I'll stack them." As your child grows, he/she will begin to recognize a "clean room" and will understand your expectations. They will also find their own order and solutions. Your child will also appreciate your willingness to problem solve and to be part of the messy room issue. And what a great opportunity to create fun and to spend quality time with your children. Remember Mary Poppins!

Writing for My Life!

I've always loved to write. To pull thoughts and words from my brain and place them on 'paper' is therapy. I love to search for just the right word to express my feeling.  It's like 'Finding Waldo' at times. The word 'search and find' feels magical at times. When sharing with others, I discover bits of me. I write letters and notes to my family, poetry, song lyrics and write in a journal. Now I write my blog, which is like a journal. Writing has always been very personal and typically reserved for close friends and family.

For many years I've had a notion about writing children's books, but it was always vague and hidden behind a mysterious cloud. It was something that others did...authors...professionals...creative people. Not me.

In spite of my fears, in spite of the harsh critic in my head, I have finally discovered that elusive dream. I am choosing to follow it. I am going to write a children's book. In fact, I even have thoughts rolling around in my head for a series of books for kids. This is the closest I've ever been to doing something specific just for me. It's a dream not defined by anything or anyone else. It's not dependent on the needs or demands of others. It's just for me.

I've gone so far as to register for a week-long children's book writing workshop to be held in Oregon next summer. I've even reserved my lodging accommodations for the week. I still have to make flight reservations and rent a car. At times, I feel as if I'm jumping into the fire without protective gear. Just attending the workshop is a huge financial and emotional commitment. It's scary on both counts. But, I remain confident that by pressing forward and investing the hard work, I will succeed. The funding will come through and trust in myself will grow and strengthen. I feel confident. Sort of. As I've said before, I am a work in progress.

I trust that as long as I persevere and strive for clarity and focus, doors will open for me and people will come into my life to help and advise me. I know that I can't do this by myself. It requires financing beyond my current income and it takes time that isn't always easy to find. But, I truly believe that this path is the right one for me. It suits me.

I have a dream. I HAVE A DREAM! It feels quite amazing. I am building the foundation. No longer in the cloud, no longer obscured by my own fears...I have a dream. This is where the "critique" from friends and family comes in. Although I may not be ready for brutal feedback, this journey requires truly honest, thought-provoking ideas, comment and opinions from you. I am open and appreciative. Thank you.

Following Dreams...Discovery

Following a dream requires commitment. It requires a change in priorities. I'm finding that it also requires a change in the long-held demands and perceptions I have of myself.

For decades I have tended to the needs of supervisors and managers in jobs, to my children, grandchildren, foster children, and children in just about any child care setting one could imagine.  In all honesty, my need to provide this care and my workaholic nature has all but hidden any other personal desires from view.

Whatever dreams that life may hold have eluded me for many years. I have the amazing ability to successfully hide behind the needs of others. The multitude of distractions that I invite into every day have also hidden me from myself. They have allowed me to be lazy when it comes to self discovery and revealing my talents and potential.

Lately, I've been looking beyond the haze of denial. It has always been painful for me to acknowledge that I need anything from anyone. It's difficult to admit need and vulnerability. By staying busy tending to others, I can ignore my own issues, my lack of motivation, my need to not be dependent on others, and my fears. Fears act as a cloak, meant to protect. In truth, fear also serves to constrict and bind. This is a distorted and rather disturbing place to be, I realize. A decent therapist could quickly point out the flaws of this design that I've created.

I need my friends and I need my family. I need their company, their love, their belief in me, their support. This part is easy...I have always had these wonderful people in my corner. The next part is a bit more challenging, probably more for them than for me. I need honest critique (please, not criticism) from the people who love me unconditionally. There are a few brave souls who trust our relationship enough to have honest, straight-forward conversations with me. Granted, these are not always easy conversations. Sometimes my feelings get hurt. But, because I know that it comes from a place of true caring and affection, the result is that I begin to think about the 'how and why' of me. It's not easy to step out of my comfort zone, even when my comfort zone is actually quite uncomfortable.

Following a dream requires actually discovering the dream!

The Ultimate Project

Raising kids is the most important DIY project you will ever attempt. It is the most difficult, the most exhausting, the most painful, the most frightening. It is also the most wonderfully amazing, magical and critical masterpiece that you will ever create.

It's not a paint brush that you can put away at sundown or place in a drawer until the creative spark strikes again. Once the canvas is begun, the creation is yours to continue. With children it's much more difficult to paint over the mistakes you make, harsh words, inattention or careless behavior. There is no do over.

The lessons you teach your children are in everything you say and do, every word, every touch, every example. For the rest of your existence you will be loving, teaching, guiding these wonderful creatures you have welcomed into your life. They will emulate you, the good the bad and the embarrassing.

You will spend the rest of your life learning the lessons of parenthood.

Why I Spill My Guts

Some may wonder why I write. Sometimes I wonder that, too. I know a piece of the story.

My goal is to make a difference in some small way. Sometimes that comes by 'spilling my guts' and digging into my past screw ups and heartaches. It won't be reading material for everyone, no doubt.

I've always been a crier. I cry when I'm happy, touched, sad, frustrated, angry, scared or in a confrontational situation. The confrontation doesn't even have to be particularly intimidating. If there's emotion involved, my tear ducts flow. It has proved frustrating and leaves me feeling powerless, particularly when I really want to be heard.

Writing provides me an opportunity to put my thoughts, experiences and feelings 'out there' without becoming an emotional mess. It's a safe space. It's a creative avenue that helps me to use the experiences of my life in a positive way. At least that is my goal. The message may be to encourage a reader or it may be a big flashing cautionary tale...I have no shortage of those messages.

I hope that what I have learned (and am still learning) will have some positive impact on others. It's a way of validating that I traveled this earth. Well, well, well..there you have it. As I'm sitting here writing this entry, that sentence just flowed out. An epiphany!

This is the reason that I write...

It's a way of validating that I traveled this earth. I was here.

Filling the Vessel...Unexpected Changes

Two years ago I moved to Las Vegas. My transition has included surprising revelations and challenges for me.

A tidbit of history. I started working at age 17. I'm almost 64 years old now. I was gainfully employed most of those years. Pregnant at age 19. I raised four children, my fabulous children...Jeff, Destyn, Michael and Savannah...primarily as a single parent. I weathered destructive marriages and painful divorces, welcomed sweet grand children and my children's spouses into my heart and into my life. I have a strong work ethic, sometimes to the point of workaholic, and have devoted decades of myself to my kids, grand kids and foster children. It's been a life filled with taking care of the needs of others, work related and personal. It's the life I chose. It's the life I've loved.

After a heartbreaking job loss several years ago and the devastating financial and personal losses that resulted, I lost self confidence. This painful situation has continued to haunt me. Fortunately, I was hired as a full-time nanny, caring for a little boy from infancy until he turned five years of age and started attending school. What an amazing experience it was, to build a bond with this sweet, extraordinarily funny and smart little boy. I'm grateful that I occasionally get to spend time with him, travelling to his family's home to care for him while his mom and dad travel. He's a little guy who has brought incredible love, joy and humor into my life. I have been blessed. In spite of this, my self confidence from the previous job loss has never fully recovered. Doubts frequently bubble to the surface. Am I good enough? A feeling that has lurked in a dark corner for most of my life, I guess.

Now I live in Las Vegas, a location that I would previously have rated 27 on a list of 10 cities in which to relocate. Though born and raised in Southern California, I am not a fan of the hot, dry desert. I like green trees, lush grass, hills and mountains, cooler temperatures...that would be the landscape and climate of Seattle, Washington. That means months and months of drizzle, rain and clouds. Despite my aversion to dry weather, here I am in Vegas. Until a couple of years ago, I would have denied any possibility of living here. Now I'm appreciating the clear, beautiful weather and the comfortable temperatures (now that summer is over). Who knew?

These past two years, three of my four children have also lived here. Plus two sons-in-law. And a grand baby for the last one year. It's been a whirlwind of change (and not just the weather).  Location, employment, social life, energy...and dammit, my feet hurt!. It has meant a change in expectations. Mine.

My relationships with my children have turned and evolved around sometimes painful corners. Plus, I have discovered that it's difficult for me to be alone. It's also difficult for me to share my space. Confusing messages to self!

My children are independent people. Guess I encouraged that in them when they were growing up. Having more time on my hands since my move here, I became more needy for my children's company. But, crazy me, they were actually very busy with work, relationships, friends and travel.

It was the first time in my adult life that I didn't have to take care of someone else. Just me. It's the first time I'd lived alone. No spouse, no children, not even little mice living in the walls. I had nothing to do outside of my own needs. And guess what!!! I didn't know what I needed. Having never had time to consider 'my needs', it was absolutely foreign to me. Clueless. Then came my new grandson. Someone to care for. Yay! For a year I did. But, daughter, husband and grand baby just moved out of state.

Back to square one.

After almost two years, I still struggle to figure it out. When asked what I want to do or be when I grow up, the answer is, "I don't know." I have vague notions but have been unable to solidify or focus on anything to any real degree. What I do know is that I've allowed myself to become isolated, lonely and without direction.

Recently, my friends and former co-workers, Kirsi and Skott, traveled from Seattle to Las Vegas. Spending time with these vivacious, enthusiastic people was invigorating, liberating and life affirming. Kirsi and Skott pushed me to think and to imagine the possibilities of my life. A life, not without my children, but a life that could survive independently from them. Three days, many hours of laughing, crying, talking and eating and a door opened for me. Hope.

From a seemingly empty vessel to one overflowing with encouragement and positive affirmations, they shined a light and helped me to begin the search for myself and for my dreams. It may be a stony and confusing path, but I think I will eventually find my footing.

Friendship

When I think about friendship in a general sense, what comes to mind is gathering of friends in celebration of birthdays, weddings, memorials and graduations. It's people making time in their schedules to include the important events of someone else, it's meeting for lunch or coffee, it's sharing conversation and life.

On a much deeper level, friendship is an act of caring and love. A friend, by my definition, is a person who makes a difference on a very personal and intimate level. Someone who accepts the other, positive attributes, warts and all. These are the people who have seen me at my delirious, happiest moments and held my heart in their hands in my darkest days. My friends' personalities range from serious and formal to totally quirky. Each has had a profound impact on my life. My closest friends have loved me for many years. I have loved them.

I have deeply held friendships within my family unit and extended family members, but, today I'm writing about the enduring friendships outside of the family confine. These are the friends that have had a profound, long-lasting impact on me in such a way as to enhance and/or alter my life significantly.

I met Joannie in the eighth grade, we were 13 years old (counting to now, that's 50 years-Good Grief!). My family had just moved to West Los Angeles in the middle of the school year. Being extremely shy and feeling insecure, it was a painful transition. As I sat in class on my first day, feeling quite isolated, I was greeted by this bright, friendly girl. She had a big, warm smile and long brown curly hair. She walked over to my desk, bent close to me and said, "You are so beautiful! Would you like to eat lunch with us?" My fear melted away. There began our relationship, a friendship that started with a hand stretched out in kindness that has held strong over time, distance, years of separation, boyfriends, babies, marriages, divorces and grandchildren. We have shared so many stories. She is Mommy Joannie to my children, I am Mommy Ronda to hers. Joannie has a heart that accepts and loves every person she meets. She always finds the shining light, the good that lies within each individual. She lives life with complete, pure love, always expecting good to come forward. I love this amazing woman and consider her my soul mate. That may seem an odd assumption, but there it is.

Lorraine and I met through a mutual friend during a very tumultuous time in our lives and in the world. It was about 1970, we were 21. The war in Vietnam was still going on, there were demonstrations, some peaceful, some violent. It was a time of highly charged emotions and conflict. Lorraine and I both had very young children and wound up sharing a home together. We were as different as any two people could be. Yet we worked. We loved. She studied to be an attorney, a vocal liberal activist. She was brilliant. I learned a lot from her and will be ever grateful that she shared this world with me. I was more of a naive, go-with-the-flow, middle-of-the-road individual. Lorraine brought honesty, excitement and enlightenment into my view. We weathered the shocking death of our friend, Diana, temporary but troublesome issues between us and many years of distance with limited communication. Yet, we reconnected and found a bond still unites us. The bond of friendship and love, once based in our youth, now growing in maturity. I'm thankful for every moment with Lorraine, her kind heart, her spirit, and that she makes me think beyond my own knowledge and experience. She continues to challenge me.

Chrys has been in my life for 35 years. She taught home birth preparation classes, which is where we met. When the time came to welcome my daughter, Destyn, into our lives, my doctor was unavailable for the planned home birth. His office asked me to come to the clinic. I declined, telling them, "I'll birth my baby alone if I have to, but I'm not going anywhere." I admit this wasn't necessarily the wisest solution, but I do have quite a stubborn, rebellious spirit sometimes. Remembering that Chrys had mentioned being a lay midwife, I called her and asked her to attend my birth. This woman, whom I'd met only briefly, came to my home (her six-month-old infant in tow), providing telephone updates to the doctor's staff. Of course, the nurses were freaking out that I didn't have a doctor in attendance. Eventually, the doctor did make it, just in time...about one minute just in time! This most intimate experience was the beginning of a long friendship. She has cared for my children, I've worked in her child care center, she was my midwife at the home birth of my baby Savannah 24 years ago. There have been so many times that we have called on each other for support and to just kick around what's going on in our lives. She is someone who will always reach out to help another, be it acquaintance or long-time friend. Enduring and solid.

Corinne came into my life 30 years ago. Pregnant with my third baby and ready to burst, we met as homeschooling parents. Her son was 14, mine was 13. Our boys became fast friends and remain so today. A year later, Corinne weathered with me my separation and finally my divorce. One of the most crushing experiences in my life, she reached down and dragged me out of deep depression and gently, but firmly, pulled me from the darkness of suicide when I thought I couldn't bear it anymore. She shook me into reality. Thankfully, she reminded me that my children needed me, that I was valued, that I was lovable. We remain friends, surviving more trials in our families than anyone should have to endure. But, survive we have.

Jackee is a friendship lost. A tragic and painful loss that still brings me to tears. We met at a church function about a year after my husband and I separated. I've been as close to Jackee as I've been to any woman. We shared highs and lows..exhilarating and crazy experiences. She was vivacious and outgoing, She was the personification of 'fun'. After 20 years of friendship, including her many highs and depressions along the way, a volatile episode brought us to the final chapter. It was one of the single most devastating losses of my life. Although our relationship shattered, I still love her. Regardless of the ending, it is a relationship that included years of kindnesses and caring. It stays with me. Achingly so.

The friendships detailed below began in a working environment, my team members.

I was introduced to Matt when he joined our department 19 years ago. Matt infuses humor and silly antics into almost every space he enters. He is surprising and warm, always striving to do right by others. We became friends initially through shared circumstances at work, but that evolved and moved beyond the working environment. Matt has such a good heart, will go to the ends of the earth for a friend or family member, to his own detriment. He is a Libra. I get that. Our experiences revolved around more than work issues. Family concerns, our children, his divorce and 'coming out' as gay, painful issues with my 'ex'. Later, I was introduced to Matt's partner, Rodel, an innovative, talented and generous young man. My life has been enhanced many times over with the love that these two men continue to share with me and with my family.

Skott also joined my department 19 years ago. His impact was immediate. He lead with enthusiasm, a smile, innovative ideas and a warm heart. He always had a way of sparking interest and support for his ideas. He was a bright light. He is still a bright light of enthusiasm and heart. Skott and his partner, JR, have embraced love in its sweetest form as they work toward adopting the young foster child they have raised since birth. I have such a deep respect and love for this family. As for Skott, I am grateful for the warm cloak of friendship that he has shared with me.

Kirsi joined our department just out of college, an intern. She is one of the most charming, hard working, efficient, effervescent people I've every met. I don't know if there is anything Kirsi would hesitate to face, tackle and ultimately overcome. I have watched her grow up from youth to brilliant businesswoman and treasured friend. Kirsi challenges me to think beyond my usual 'safe' space, encouraging me to push outside the box of inaction and fear that sometimes keeps me trapped. Her enthusiasm for living life to its fullest is a constant reminder of what is achievable. She is easy to love. Though many years my junior, she is a true inspiration. She is fierce, she is unstoppable. She makes me want to grow.

Christine is the epitome of grace under fire. This smart, seemingly self-contained woman spreads a calm to those around her. Spiritual and intelligent, she strives for excellence, exuding confidence, full of love and deep compassion for others. There is a strength in Christine that has lead her safely through grievous loss, faith intact. Her friendship is one that leaves me humbled and grateful for our years together.

Loretta..Lovely Loretta we called her. My first impression of Loretta was, "OMG she talks so much!" What I ultimately discovered was a vibrant, full-of-life woman with a heart capable of loving even the seemingly unlovable. She's intelligent, articulate and creative with an energy that, quite literally, fills up the room when she enters. She has no fear of meeting new people, with a quality of enthusiasm and openness that seems to be missing in my DNA. I welcome the light of her generous nature and the kindness with which she operates her life and her relationships. We are able to share our deepest fears, our dreams, our failures and lift each other into a better place. I'm grateful for the love that she shares so freely.

There are other's in my life who have touched me with the love of friendship. Some have been with me for many years growing on the sidelines, friendships that have blossomed through a mutual connection. Others are in the early stages of intimacy and love, including some of the young families for whom I provide care to their children.

In contemplating my thoughts and feelings about the long-term, close friendships that have filled my life, I am reminded that friendship can come around the corner unexpectedly, housed with many and varied personalities, shapes, ages, religious beliefs, political leanings. Each friendship comes with different gifts. I have been fortunate to experience friendship in its deepest and most profound form, in ways that have enlightened, uplifted, taught, torn down and saved me. Differences have not been a factor and time has not diminished the love. The quality, the genuine care and the understanding that has filled and changed my life has helped to make me better. A better mother, a better human being, a better friend. I am grateful. I am honored.