Auntie Kelly has her countdown of when she leaves the Big Apple and we have our own countdown of sorts- We’ll be counting down the days until Auntie Kelly’s next visit.

My friend Kelly (affectionately known to our boys as Auntie) and I have known one another since our Freshman year in high school. There are those family you inherit from DNA or marry into and those that God sends your way…Kelly is a part of our ‘chosen’ family. Kelly has always been a consistent and caring force in mine, and my boys lives. She has been through every trying period in my life and every milestone. She has shared in my joys, lifted my spirit in the difficult times and always…always reminded me of the gifts God has blessed me with. She doesn’t allow me to be hard on myself in her presence…Instead, she adds a boost of self confidence with her words as effortlessly as adding cream in my coffee. How does she do it?

She is a woman of many talents and according to Nishad, she’s now added a few to that list. He *loves* playing with his Auntie Kelly. She showered him with such attention while visiting. She read to him endlessly (one of Nishad’s favorite past times is books). They played puppets. He even preferred to sit next to her when we ate out, and let her help him in the bathroom. He had this little spider finger action movement when he wanted her to hold his hand. When Kelly went to the bathroom at the zoo, he asked, “Where is Auntie Kelly?” I replied, “The bathroom.” He replied, “Will she be back?” I said, “Yes, Nishad.” And, even with her out of site, as though he was sending her some sort of sub-conscious signal, he reached out his hand in the direction that she walked away and sent out a little spider finger message her way.

While pregnant with Nishad, Kelly actually drove back to Minnesota with me after my baby shower to help me prepare for the baby. She took time off in her life, to give time to us… After Nishad was born, she and her Mom (Gammy Dee) were first to say they were visiting. Does Nishad sense how special she is to us, or does he sense how much she cares for us? Maybe neither- maybe he just senses what a good person she is, and what a big heart she has.

I know that I have such an added respect for Kelly- especially, after this visit. There is another layer of love that was added in my heart… There is something so amazing about watching one of your dearest and closest friends play with your children, value what their innocent perspective is and love them so concretely. Ashish and I don’t have many people in our lives that are in our children’s lives. I suppose that’s why it is quality over quantity.

As it was time to get ready for nap, I told Nishad to go to his room. We moved out his twin bed in his brother’s room and put a queen size bed in his room for Kelly to sleep on. He sat up on the bed and looked at me and said, “Where’s Kelly going to sleep?” He was really proud to share his African Savannah room with her. I said, “Kelly had to go to her home now…”

Red, White and Blue…I am for you! Honest, you’re a grand old flag! …Land that I love, stand beside her…with a light from above!

Take a nap on a giant Lily pad, flutter with the butterflies, stroll gently on the Japanese garden path, chat with the animals and take a break for lunch…all in a days worth of adventure filled with endless possibilities at Como Zoo and Conservatory in Saint Paul.

The two most important things you give your children; roots and wings (Jonas Salk). I came across that quote and it has been an inspiration to me as a mother. So much, that it was the theme of my latest garden adventure.

Why roots and wings? The two almost appear to contradict one another. However, without roots, one can not take flight. Like the gardner, we learn patience, trusting the natural process. We strive to give our children roots- stability, a strong sense of belonging and nourishment (body and spirit). We prepare them to take flight to one day leave our ‘nest’, giving them responsibilities early on, confidence and encouragement. Thus, “Roots and Wings.”

My wonderful husband received a phone call while I was in route on my way back from the store, with a bird bath in tow, complete with butterflies etched on it. Along with the bird bath- flowers of course. Deep shades of purple day lily’s and corn flowers representative of the richness the boys bring to our lives and the roots we so hope to give them.

I admit though, I’m struggling with the idea of ‘wings’ lately- Or maybe the idea that my babies are growing faster than I prepared myself for. I know that they have to grow to evolve and in order to grow, we need to give them room to fly. However, this sometimes overly protective Mommy sees all that could harm her precious babies. In many ways, the boys are teaching Ashish and I how to fly.

Despite our ‘spat’ that he knew nothing of my plan or idea for our newest weekend project for the yard, we made up, became one with the soil and did what we do best- collaborate.

Imprints: While growing up in ‘Chicagoland’ my mother’s garden had a seahorse bird bath. Purple Phlox surrounded it. I would love to import that cement bird bath up here, and appreciate it as it should be. On my last visit to my childhood home of 28-years, the garden that I maintained and cultivated after my Mother’s passing in 1992, was no more. Though, despite the weeds that have spread everywhere, tulips that she planted when I was about 9 or 10 years old, still continue to thrive. There has to be a moral in that.