Back On Wrong

I think the doctor sewed my foot back on wrong,
In fact I'm pretty sure of it.
See there? How it doesn't quite fit right in my shoe? 
It's a little crooked so my shoes wear out too fast. 

I believe the doctor sewed my foot back on wrong,
I know, I know, 
It was a miracle he was able to sew it back on at all.
But it seems a little off, not quite where its supposed to be. 

It seems like the doctor sewed my foot back on wrong,
When I look down it's obvious that my foot is misshapen,
As if the scars adorning my leg weren't enough,
It makes me self conscious. 

I'm pretty sure the doctor sewed my foot back on wrong,
Maybe that's why I failed my Statistics test,
Maybe that's why I have such a hard time talking with people,
Maybe that's why I can't seem to keep my balance.

Yes, the doctor sewed my foot back on wrong,
A little off center, a little skewed,
A little quirky, a little strange, slightly contorted,
But aren't we all?

A Round of Applause

A round of applause for you, a performer.
It's empty, wanting
What are they clapping for?
Why are they mindlessly slamming their hands together?
Their eyes wander as their hands collide in false accolades.
Politely they nod their heads murmuring "Good show, good show."
But what do they know?

Blank empty faces continue their praise.
All the same.
Checking their watches, ready to leave.
But still their hands clap on.
Encouraging you with their feigned appreciation  

Relishing the tribute of the crashing hands
You drink it in through your eyes, ears, and mouth
Basking in the hammering recognition
Loving a shadow
Fighting to keep something that won't last.
But what do you know?

How long can they stand there?
How long will they humor you?
It won't last forever,
It can't last forever.

They will file out one by one
Critiquing your every move
They will turn their backs
Putting the offending hands back in their pockets
They will leave
Taking their empty praise with them

But there you will stand
A performer
Listening to the echos of the counterfeit clapping
Believing the lies of the applause

A Tribute to Superwoman

Can you describe her? What do you think you know? Can you explain her to me? Give it a try, if only for me to tell you that you're wrong. Let me tell you what you don't know.

Did you know her favorite animal is a tortoise? That she has an affinity for cantaloupe and strange exercise videos?

I bet you didn't know that, until recently, she thought Adam Levine had a rat tattooed on his arm, and still loved him anyway.

And it's such a shame that you haven't experienced her late night ramblings, that never fail to leave you laughing and crying in equal measure.

I doubt that you would know what a great listener she is and that she can give as good as she gets on the sarcasm front.

Would you guess that she has mad tap dancing skills and can river dance like a true Irish woman?
Probably not.

Now let me tell you what you DO know.

You know that she's there for you rain or shine, hospital bed or wheelchair.

I'm pretty sure you could never forget how she'll watch "crappy chick flick" movies with you, because she knows you like them, even though she can't stand them.

And although you know that every time you ask her what she wants to do she'll say, "I'm good with anything." you keep asking her anyway.

Even though you pretend to be upset, you're okay with the fact that your family loves her almost as much as they love you.

You understand the sacrifices she made to do what she loves, and you cried with her when she ended up sacrificing what she loved for what she needed.

And most importantly, you know how lucky you are to be able to claim Superwoman as your friend.

So hats off to you, Superwoman, a round of applause, a standing ovation for the girl who everyone wishes they knew a little bit better than they do.  

Beaches, BaBas, and Bubble Beards

This summer I learned how to be a child again. There is something to be said of the simplicity of childhood. When your only care is whether you have rice or pasta for dinner. When you can imagine whole worlds and interact with dolls like they are real people in the confines of your bedroom. 

I got to spend this summer with the some of the sweetest kids on the planet. They helped me remember the simple pleasures in life and to enjoy the moment.

Some of my favorite quotes of the summer include:
"Maddie do you know what having patience means? 'Cause you're not being very patient with me right now."
"I'm being such a laffy taffy right now I can't stop!"
"I need a TOWOOL!" (towel)
"Whenever I do what frozen things do in..." "SUMMER!"
(Asking for a kiss) "Bear, what do mommys want?" "Coke?"
"D13, Like Devo-13, Like my name!"
"Watch ost? Ost!"
"Did you know that the word 'energy' sounds just like the letters N-R-G?"
"Sister Sharp! When'd your baby chunk out?" (Ya'll)
"I'm a little tired I kinda want to take a nap." "Or you could pretend that you already took a nap and come play with me."
"I wuv my Maddie."


One of the most extraordinary things about little kids is that they are completely and 100% honest. They haven't learned how to be deceiving or manipulative. They wear their hearts on their sleeves and can spot fake people in an instant. So you know that when a child says that they love you, they mean it.

                                                                                                 
                                                         I learned to look outside myself. 

  I rediscovered the simple joys of life. 

Things like rocking a baby to sleep, 

And walking along the beach holding a sandy little hand. 

Things like dressing up as princesses, 

And making beards out of bubbles.

Things like pouring hundreds of babas

And braiding Elsa hair.

Things like butterfly gummies, 

And plastic nail polish.

Things like slobbery kisses,

   And making cotton candy cookies,
Things like Disney World,

   And the tooth fairy,
 Things like falling asleep with a baby on your chest,

  And searching for three hours to find a yellow ball.

Truth be told, I miss smelling like baby formula. I miss changing diapers and I even miss getting thrown up on. I left a piece of my heart in Florida with those sweet babies. I needed this summer to learn and to grow, to settle down and refocus. I will be forever grateful for the chance I had to spend a summer with the Sharp family.