The Little Comedian

This is why I believe you'll see my son on the big screen someday in the newest blockbuster comedy . . .

At the doctor's office, getting a physical, the doctor asks J., "J. - when you're in the car you always wear . . . "

J. tilts his head to the side, furrows his brow and in his perfect "Password Plus" voice says slowly, "Clothes?"

Last night, as we're watching the news, the story about the FCC dropping the fine against CBS for Janet Jackson's unfortunate wardrobe malfunction, J. sees the clip from the infamous super-bowl and starts asking questions about the incident. Here's the conversation that ensues.

J - "Did Justin Timberlake pull her top off on purpose?"

Mom - "Well buddy, there's some controversy about that. He says that they planned it but she was supposed to have another top on under it, but she didn't."

J - "So she didn't have anything on?"

Mom - "Well, she had these little things, kind of like . . . stickers over her, er, eh . . ."

J. "Nipples?"

Dad (in a teasing voice) - "J - I can't believe you just said the word 'nipples' in front of your mom. That's gross."

Mom - "That's OK - I'm glad you used the right word. It shows that you're very mature, J."

J - "So what kind of stickers were they? Were they Superbowl stickers?"

Mom (snorting) - "Well, not exactly buddy. They were sparkly, kind of like flowers or stars . . ."

Dad - "Kind of like 'Perfect Attendance' awards. You know sparkly, shiny stickers."

J (with a smirk) - "Ohhhh, so that's where you're supposed to put them."

Yesterday, I inhaled . . .

I took a day.

For me.

And it was just what I needed. Scratch that. I need about 10 more, but yesterday was a good start.

I walked the streets of my beloved downtown Portland and enjoyed the mild summer day. It was perfect. Blue skies, a soft breeze, warm sunshine, lots of interesting people. And noise. Trucks rumbling down streets, street musicians, the pounding of joggers feet on the riverfront and the hum of a thousand conversations going on around me that didn't include (or demand) me.

It was bliss.

As I sat on the bench, staring at the river in the quiet of my own mind, I thought, "I really need to be better about doing this." As much as brushing my teeth, or exercising or eating healthy nourishes my physical body, I need to remember the importance of nourishing my soul with some intentional alone time now and again doing things I love (not just going to the grocery store alone). Why is it so hard to allow myself this? I know it fills my emotional and spiritual "well" and makes me a better wife, mom, co-worker, friend, etc. but there's just an element of self in it that makes it hard to fight for sometimes.

But I need it. And I'm not sorry I took it yesterday, and I plan on doing it again soon.

What do you do to fill yourself up?