I remember....

I remember the first time I saw my first born child, D'Arcy. He was so big and so full of life. He grew up so quickly always bursting with life and passion. He is still that way - nothing by half-measures. But I still remember him as a boy and a teenager and a young man heading off to Vancouver, beginning his life on his own. I remember the first time I read a book to him and how he lay there so quietly listening to every word I spoke. I can still feel him in the crook of my arm as his mother and I shopped.

I remember the first time I saw my second born child, Evan. He seemed so strong and intense in his tiny frame. He was quiet but embraced life in all of its wonder, a twinkle in his eye. He is still that way - shaking his head at the ironies of life and people. I remember him as a boy and as a teenager and then a young man heading off to art school. I can still hear him him giggling and bouncing in my arms or spryly swinging from the cross bar of a playset with one hand while he untangled the chains of a swing with the other.

I remember the first time I saw my third born child, Tianna. She seemed so tiny and delicate as I held her in my arms but remarkable with her full head of black hair. She was joyful and caring of her brothers, soaking up life at every turn. She is still that though now she gives much of her love to her two children, Connor and Eden. I can still see her skipping stones with me and feel her tiny hand in mine as we walked along the beach.

I remember the first time I met my stepson Dylan. He was five and had just come to St. John's to live with his mom. That first night he asked me to read a book to him and then fell asleep in my arms. He was a caring and gentle child with such a vivid imagination. He is still that way though now we live on opposite coasts.

My life is full of wonderful memories but these are the best ones.