But what would I call my blog?

Satvinder declared yesterday that she does not want to be called Pinky anymore. (I changed my name on my parents so I suppose I have it coming to me!) I told her about how pink she was when she was a new baby and she was so little...we called her Pinky Bug and all variations of Pink-type words. Finally she became The Pinky.

If not Pinky, then what does she want to be called for her nickname? Well, she gave me a list of acceptable options. They are as follows:

Pink (just not PINKY)
Rainbow
Moon child (because she's "always wanted to go to the moon")
Cute Giraffe
Garden
Harimandir (our friend's name)
Junie (name of our friend's deceased cat)
Artist


Maybe we could take the Prince approach and call her the "Artist formerly known as Pinky"?

This Morning

I'm driving
near delirious
cold air slapping
smells like India
and I'm buzzing
like the lights around me
still part of me is left
behind
with the humming and holding
her bulging him birthing
them saying Cry
make a sound
but instead
he is skin to skin
just being
new in this world

Companions

I spent last night and the wee hours of the morning with some great human companions, sharing the intensity of the birth of a baby boy. As I was leaving after the birth, the grandmother of the new baby said to me, "You are family now." And it is true...in those hours we share something so intimate and sacred and we become family. We may never see each other again but for that time...on planet Birth...we are family.

The only picture I have to share is of my inadamite companions from the experience. The mala was given to me by the parents. Several of us wore them during the birth. The wood comes from the Bodhi tree, the tree of enlightenment in Buddhism, which shares the name of their baby boy.

The bear is called "Satvinder Bear", a sweet little guy that Satvinder received on Valentines Day from her Dadaji and Nonni. Satvinder sends him with me when we are going to be apart, to remind me of her. He's a little bear but he has a big message.

Feels Like Spring

Today's Spring weather demanded outdoor activity. We planted our garden and Satvinder got a new backyard swing.
Here is the beginning of my little garden: tomatoes, zucchini, artichokes, lettuce, strawberries, chard, marigolds....we'll see how it goes as I rely highly on luck (rather than actual gardening knowledge.)

And the new swing. She was going so high that I missed the top of her head.

Who's on First.

The conversation went like this:


Pitaji: S is for Satvinder, H is for hug...W is for what...

Satvinder: What?

Pitaji: W is for What.

Satvinder: I don't know.

Pitaji: No, W is for WHAT.

Satvinder: I DON'T KNOW. What?

Pitaji: W is for what. W-H-A-T, what.

Satvinder: I DON'T KNOW!

Pitaji: Ok, W is for water.

We are Rich

Recently Satvinder asked for an explanation of what "rich" means. That has led to discussion of various ways that we experience abundance and every so often she just starts listing off the ways that we are rich. Here are some of her recent observations:

"We are rich in pretty!
We are rich in love!
We are rich in hair!
We are rich in books!
We are rich in cleaning supplies!
We are rich in messes!"


It is true. We are rich! We are also rich in friends who are having babies! Congratulations to my friend, Ravyn, who gave birth to the super adorable baby Sufyan this week! He came as a perfect little Valentine.

And now off to my abundant messes....

Valentine Love

It has been a busy weekend - community meetings and teaching in teacher training for me and Reiki training for Mangala Sadhu Sangeet and now...I am happy to have a chance to just hang out with Satvinder. She is making Valentines.

She decorates the cards and then dictates a message that I write for her. Here is an example of one she did for her friends, Sat Darshan and Nirankar:

Dear Sat Darshan and Nirankar,

I love you and I miss you. I was just at your house yesterday. I am sorry I was crying. It was because I hit my head and my butt. Happy Valentine's Day!

Love, Satvinder

"This is why Sikhs are hot"

That title makes me giggle. I liked this little video about why we wear turbans (though some pretty important main reasons were missing!!) I especially like the girl's answer!

Video:This is why Sikhs are hot

The Snuggle Solution

Pinky snuggles are always the answer. No matter what the issue...this little light shines up my day.

News of the Day

Style considerations are important when you go to places like Costco and Trader Joe's, like we did today. Luckily, Satvinder had style covered in her eclectic mix of clothing and accessory choices. Hands in prayer pose make it even better!

And in other news this weekend...My dearest childhood friend, Heather, had a baby girl, Caitlin Sophia. I've been a mess for days, waiting for this news! You'd think I've never known someone who had a baby before....pacing and laying awake at night. Admittedly, I had a hard time for these last 9 months with keeping my nose out of Heather's business - I wasn't at my least meddelsome, for sure. (She tolerated me well, bless her heart.) This is one little girl who will be well, well loved. Welcome to the world, Caitlin and hooray for the mama who did the hard work of bringing her here!