Today I Will Fly

The first draft: original ideas scribbled on random sheets of paper
Crow Tribe: Plains Indians(Montana,Wyoming), experts in horsemanship, carving, and painting. Named for the "Big beaked bird" and known for their beautiful long hair. The Crow were fierce hunters. Men won status for bravery in battle and expert hunting, earning them the Ponies of their enemies and inferiors. Women of the tribe were the primary home makers and builders of dwellings, which were taken down and moved during migration. The Crow are a strong people, and adapted well to the changes in the Great American West!

Small, Brown, Strong, Little Feather clutches his finely carved cedar pony as he gazes out upon endless waves of green grassy plains. Pure earth and sky reaching far and high, interrupted only by jagged rocky cliffs. Scream, Power, Gleam the shiny deep brown wings of an Eagle taking flight. Higher and higher it climbs into the endless azure sky. Little Feather follows it's flight until it is out of sight, "We will be brothers mighty Eagle, for today I will fly." declares Little Feather as he stands there on the plains, somewhere between green earth and endless bright blue sky.
Blow, Rush, Go racing across wise grass bent low by the wild wind. Little Feather's legs rush faster and faster, his feet land soft and swift in the light brown dirt. Leap the bending stream, dash around the thorns and briers of the berry bushes that lead to the dusty path up the hill as fast as he can climb, and suddenly Stop! There at the top of the hill that looks down upon his people's camp, there he stands, holding his breath for now he is sure that today he will Fly!
Strong, Sleek, Silver, Brown; the pony that Little Feather's father has won. "This will be your pony, and you will learn to ride. It is time for you to fly, my Little Feather." loving and strong come the words from his lips.
Closer, as he begins to touch a velvet nose of silver. Little Feather's hand follows down the neck and shoulder of quivering deep soft brown. Eyes meet, locked in a gaze of forever love reflected back he sees chestnut eyes full of wild and play. Leap to the back of a storm, and the mane of silver lightning fills Little Feather's face as the power is unleashed!
Rip, Twist, Whip, Crash in a puff of dust Little Feather is thrown to the dirt. Again! sounds Father Big. Tears sting Little Feather's eyes like nettle, he wipes them away and jumps up again. Leap, Crash, Leap at last! Little Feather squeezes his little legs tightly around the girth of the spirited creature and does not let go. Dart, Rush, Twist, Up the pony whirls in every direction but Little Feather does not blow off this time. Fast into the racing wind they rush, and then, Little Feather yells out, "You are strong and swift my pony, but I am as wild as you are! Today we are brothers, for today is the day that I CAN FLY!"
Quick, Pound, Racing, Ground with every hoof beat, the sound of beating drums echoes in Little Feather's ears. The wind whips and whistles past as they two, now one, rush head first into endless meadows of earth and sky. Dusty fingers and silver mane are entangled tightly against his face. Little Feather now feels of lightning in his veins and thunder in his chest that time nor distance could ever erase. On and on they speed, dark hair whipping along with the silver mane of the wild steed.
High above the mighty Eagles cry, "Today we are brothers Little Feather, for today is the day that you can Fly!"

I'm Gonna Be Just Like You

The sun shines bright upon the blades of warm, green grass. Little girl and Little boy skip among purple and white wild flowers that line the walk to Daddy Big's shop. Clang, Bang, sang the hammer as it works forced by the power of Daddy Big's worn hands. Thump, Chang, Womp, Clang, skillfully forming blank sheets of metal into master works of art.
Buzz, Crackle, Snap, Glow drops of light as a flaming fountain flowing off the work. Sparkle, Dance, Fancy, Die as they fly across the cold concrete floor of Daddy Big's shop. From the lips of little boy come the timid, eager words, “Can I help?” Breaking the noise of the busy shop.
Daddy Big lifts a heavy shield of black to reveal: inviting bright blue eyes and, despite a slag dirtied face, a smile of bright white gleams across his joyful lips. His well worn and calused hands that have forced the tools to obey their every command become gentle now, and soft as velvet as he reaches out to take Little boy's soft dimpled fingers in his.
“I will lead you, and you will learn, my Little boy.” Kindly the voice of the Big echoes in the ears of Little boy as they walk together. Big strong hand in little learning hand to the back of the shop where the tools lay silently waiting to be lifted and used for a master purpose. Cold scraps full of wonderful holes and used ideas lay stacked in a corner. One piece, Two piece, Three piece, Each piece warms as Daddy Big picks it up to place in front of Little boy. Eyes open wide to take in the sight of something new and wonderful. “When I get Big, I'm gonna be just like you!” declares Little boy.
Smile, Beam, Joyful, Gleam in the eyes of Daddy Big. “You will be what you will be, and I will love you always.” Daddy Big embraces Little boy with warm strong arms that reach all the way around to hold there in a safe, love, circle. “Take my hand and I will show you how.” Heavy, Lift, Power, Hit. POUND! AS the hammer sounds strong as it goes on singing a busy working song. Together in time, Daddy Big and Little boy teaching and learning to force the stubborn tools in every command.
Light, Glow, Soft, Slow. Into the shop steps Litte girl, quiet as she tiptoes. Her little fist closed tight around something hidden inside. Warm, Small, Kind, Fall each tiny purple perfumed petal. Dance around the cold floor of Daddy Big's shop, a perfect stage.
Twirl in the bright, up high on little toes as the light from the warm outside beams in between each out streatched arm! Light shoots around and through to perfectly portray a spotlight for this little ballet. Then a final twist, and delicate bow, followed by a giggle. Little brown eyes study as Little Girl's fist slowly opens to show , she is slowly letting go of one, then two, and another makes three. Each light green seed plucked from deep inside a fragrant sweet pea bloom.
The seeds and sweet petals float down to rest, each warming some small concrete space. Daddy big bends down and draws them both in for a strong embrace The three hold there in the middle savoring the day, and none will forget the sweet smiles on each little face.

Would You Love Me Then? for Matthew

Golden, Pink, Blue, Sink away the sun's rays like warm, shining fingers taking the day away and pulling up a deep blue star shimmered blanket. Mama Big hums a quiet gentle tune as little boy points to the moon. Up and down jumps little boy upon the puffy fluffy quilt that warms his little bed and hugs his little head.
Up, Down, Up, Down.. and then he spies his bedtime friend. Clean, soft, brown, there peaking one button eye from beneath the rumpled fluff. "Boo!" exclaims little boy at the sight of that familiar pal. A bear, worn, and softened by tight hugs and long snugs. Little Boy quiets now and rubs his round cheek against "boo"'s brown, soft as goose down.
Smile, Blink, Quiet, Think. "Mama?" little boy begins. "Yes, little boy?" Mama Big is eager to hear what little boy is thinking today. "Would you love me if I were a Christmas tree?" Mama Big smiles and begins, "Oh, a Christmas tree is an evergreen tree and they are easy to love. They are strong and smell sweet. They stay green even when it is dark and cold. I would plant you in the corner of the flower garden and take care of you. Yes. I would love you then."
"Mama, would you love me if I were grass?" Little boy sits on mama's lap to listen for her reply. Mama Big begins to rock as she answers back, "Grass is small, grass is meek, grass has many jobs and never complains. Grass gets eaten, stepped on, it holds the earth in it's place. It reaches far to cover each little space. Yes, I would love you if you were grass. I would keep you green and neat, clean and soft." Little boy lets out a yawn and begins again. "Mama, would you love me if I were wind?" Mama big sweeps the hair across Little Boys sleepy head, and lays him gently into his soft bed. "If you were wind," mama pauses to think, and then continues as little boy begins to sink into his warm bed. "You would be silent and swift as you blow far and wide. Across Oceans and Plains, under eagle's wings you would hide. I would hang chimes all around, so I could hear the sound of your whistling song as you float along. I would stand still and wait to feel your cool breeze, and race after the leaves you would try to steal. Yes. I would love you then." A deep breath and then little boy asks again, "Mama, would you love me if I were a bird?" Smile, Sigh, Think, again replies mama big, "If you were a bird, I would let you soar. I could not cage you or clip your wings. I would let you go up high into the sky so you would be happy. I would watch you fly and love you always."
Little boy's breath becomes deep, and his voice quiets to a whisper as he nearly drops off to sleep. He asks one more, now exactly the question he was wondering before. "Mama" he begins. Mama Big waits, "Yes, my little one?" "Will you love me......when....I am not the only Little one?" Soft in a whisper true and deep, the feelings in her heart, she begins to share with little boy just before he is lost in his sleep. "My little boy, I will love you then. Oh, how much I will love you then. I will love your little lullabies for Little baby to hear. I will love your little helping hands ever eager to be near, bringing little blankets or a bottle warm. I will love your kind and silly words that make little baby giggle with delight. I will love to show you and little baby just how much we can love then."
Smile, Warm, Breath, Sweet. Little boy drifts off to dream of things to be, Adventures to see! Finally, as a soft glow fills the room, Mama Big repeats again, "Dream, my little boy and know, that I will love you then."

Adventure In the Spring

The Little's awake to find golden streams of sunlight pouring through the edges and parts of the curtain pulled across a gleaming window. Golden beams flow through the air, then stop on a spot of the floor. A colorful gift is given there, in that spot of light on the floor. Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, then a Blue, Indigo, and of course a Violet hue. Spring adventures are calling from outside where the light is falling. Sparkle, bright, warm, light. The sun gently kisses their rosy, soft, creamy little cheeks. Light glances across puddles left by the early morning rain. Thousands of glistening, glowing, diamonds dance in the ripples that little toes greet. The Little's eyes are filled with a pure spring sight.

Warm, blow, lift, flow. Little arms reach up high toward the blue, little fingers open wide to let a breeze fly through. Flutter, flight, glitter, white. A butterfly lights gently on Little girl's finger. "It tickles as it tiptoes!" giggles Little girl. A smile beams bright as sunlight across Little boy's happy face. Let it go, watch it go, new wings climb higher and higher until the flight carries the wings out of sight.

Ding, dong, ding. "I hear a bell ring!" chime the Little's voices in perfect time. The singing of the bell from the clock tower fell on little ears listening there. Standing outside in the bright sunlight of a warm spring adventure. Flap, whir, free little bird. Whistle and chirp, fluff and flirt. Down the sunny path we follow the bright song of a swallow. Little voices sing along "I sing a sweet, funny, sunny song!" The Little's giggles bounce through air and light. Step, tap, wait......CLAP! The beat of the Little's feet sound like a tick-a, tick-a, dum of a perfect tribal drum. Tap, step, tip, STOMP! As we walk down the path, we listen to the sound, of the tap- tapping on the ground. We walk to the beat of four little feet, and our hearts begin to pound! Skip, 1- 2-3, Skip, 1-2-3. Stop, hop, step, leap! Twirl, Jump, Gallop, Run as we race beneath a golden sun!

There where we land, inside an open little hand, is a: bright, fragrant, purple, blue, and gold, little flower. Deep breaths take in the sweet scent. "I love the Spring" say the Little's to the Big. Lay, soft, breeze, sway. The grass and flowers nod, and bow. The air is warm, light, and sweet somehow.

Big opens a pack, takes out a knapsack. One for Little girl, and one for Little boy. The Little's open their sacks, and are delighted to find, canteens full of cool blue. They press the wet to their little lips. Fresh, Cold, Sparkle, Hold, little tongues trap the cool blue to roll around inside little mouths. Swallow, trickle, sip, giggle. So fresh and cool as if it had come from a pool, a fountain, all the way up at the top of a mountain. Then, the Little's find that delicious and sweet are Spring berries to eat. Nibble, Eat, Juicy, Treat.

We three joy as we share, and a sweet peace begins to grow there. Settle in as the Big and the Little's are hidden between earth and sky. "Oh how lucky am I" whispers Big to the Littles. The green as soft as a feather, the blue peaceful as it gleams. As they drift to dream, they smile and sigh. "I love you, my Littles." Big's words float up to disappear into the fluffy white clouds and bright blue sky.

The Getting Bigger Shoes

The Little's eyes glimmer as they bounce a glance at each other, little minds full of wonder. Squishy little toes push into their creased, well known little shoes.Little scuffs here, and little scuffs there from kicking a little pebble, jumping across cool little streams, and running so fast, little arms stretched out so far through endless fields of earth and sky! FLY, FLY, FLY!!The blissful summer days filled with lemonade kisses, and sticky Popsicle faces seem to end sooner now. There is a golden glimmer as the green leaves flutter from a tickle in the somehow different breeze. "We have something special to do today"says the Big, to the littles. "You are getting bigger now, my little girl, and soon you will go to school" explains the Big. "Today we must go buy you Bigger shoes."
A merry little walk up a warm sunny path as two littles follow the Big. Hop, sing, skip, swing. One little boy, one little girl, one mama Big as they go along one warm sunny path. DING! sings as the bell rings on the door of the shoe store. "Hello!" calls a friendly voice from the inside of the "Getting Bigger Shoe" store. Friendly Big takes a look at the little girl's little shoes. "I see you are getting bigger, little girl." "Yes! You are right!" smiles little girl. "I am here for my "Getting Bigger" shoes!"
Smile, wink, nod, think. Friendly Big thoughtfully strokes a whiskered chin, “It seems as though I have something in a perfect shade of, yellow, red, or blue.” Then with a twinkle in his eye, and a spring in his step, he playfully adds “maybe a sweet theme of pink would be best for you.” Down neat, long paths walk we four, inside the “Getting Bigger Shoe” store. Rows of boxes stretch on and on, up and up of: red and shiny, soft and black, zippers and buckles, Velcro and laces. Eager little fingers open a delightful flowered box and bring out the new "getting bigger" shoe.

Slip off the old and try out the new. Leather, grip, giggle, skip. There is something new about these "Getting Bigger" shoes. Cross, flip, pull. Then a Loop, loop, flip, pull. Little soft dimpled fingers give it a try. Say it as you go, my little, and you can tie your "Getting Bigger" shoes! Soft warm little learning fingers follow on top of Big knowing hands. "Follow me." says the Big. Cross, flip, pull. Then a loop, loop, flip, pull! "Yes! You can do it!!" squeals little boy. Happy claps, Hurray, and Leap!! A little celebration for one little girl getting bigger shoes.
Away they walk, one mama Big, one little girl, and one little boy. Holding little hands, as little wet tongues lick little round lollipops. Down the warm sunny path. Hop, Sing, Skip, Swing. Mama Big turns and says,"Soon you will be big, but to me you will always be my one little girl, and one little boy. I Love You my Littles!"

Warm Hands, Warmer Hearts

The Little's feet push into little boots. The Little's hands fit into little mittens. "ohh," say Little Girl, and Little Boy,"that makes my hands feel very warm!"
Little arms slide into little coats, little soft heads cupped in fuzzy, furry, little hats.
"Out we go!" declare the Little's voices chiming together like angel's little silver bells. As we step timidly out into the new White, it puffs and fluffs around the Little's boots.
Looking up into the mild white-gray, flakes like miniature feathers quietly float, dance, twirl, slide. Down each one comes with the grace of a delicate ballerina, a tiny soft white fairy.
Little eyes closely inspecting each one with the quietness of a whisper. Soft, chill, rest, thrill! "Mama, it landed on my nose!" declares Little Boy, as if he had discovered a rare treasure! "Yes it did, you are lucky indeed!" replies Mama Big.
Little Girl turns to Little Boy, softly presses her nose to his, and a giggle rises out of the quiet like a golden ray of sun, dances on the chilly air, and warm fills the hearts of the Littles and the Big.
Warm Hands, Warmer Hearts are standing in the fresh new White.

TODAY I LOOKED

The day began as most days do on early Fall mornings. As I lay in bed, I listened, and heard the sound of soft blankets rustling. I tiptoed out of bed and down the hall. I peeked into the bedroom of the little and took a look.....and there I saw.... bleary eyes smiling back at me from underneath the covers!

The littles sat up and stretched their warm pajamaed arms. Their hair still warm and tousled from a night of little heads dreaming Big adventures! We all three, hand in warm dimpled hand, gathered at the window where we took a look, and there we saw......A bright clear Fall morning. There was a chilly mist in the air – as most fall days do- and there was a crisp sparkle on the ground. Bigger little gasped in surprise,”Look an Autumn Dew!”

The sun was just beginning to play peek -a -boo above the azure sky. Littlest little giggled and said,”Look!” So we all three took a look, and there we saw.....A flock of geese, honking as they flew away, away.

The Autumn day was joyful and full of giggles and surprises,”Look, look!” it seemed to say. We took a look, and that day we saw: a bug crawling under, a grasshopper hopping over, a ball rolling through, two littles running around, a leaf falling down, and two pairs of bright shining eyes looking up, up, up into golden rays of bright sunlight.

The air began to shift and sway. We three took a look and there we saw...the leaves being gently carried away. Around the corner and down the street they flew. They danced and wiggled as they were tickled by that spicy cool breeze. Whoops, squeals, and the sound of four galloping little feet filled the afternoon breeze that carried us along with yellow, orange red and brown Autumn leaves. Down the road to the park we fled, and suddenly we stopped.

Stopped and looked and there we saw....

Piles of crisp brightly covered leaves! Piled all around covering ground in an artists palette of color and spectacular curious wonder!

Off they flew, little one and little two. Chasing around, under, over, and especially through! Having the time of their little lives and calling to me (who had been smiling the whole day through) “Look, look, see what I can do!” and ,”I can do it too!” As they romped and galloped and rolled and tumbled, all at once I began to look, and there to see, that the world is no bigger than the us, that are, the happiest three.

Time seemed to slow down and there to stop- rest a while. Take a look, you will see.

We blew back home on that cool evening Autumn breeze. The Bigs warmed the littles, said our prayers thankful for the day we had shared. The little beds embraced the little heads and I wrapped warm blankets all around them. The dark, with one soft glow, became warm with tiny little breath. Then finding the rocking chair I gratefully sank into it's feather pillows. I slowly rocked, gently rocked, and then I looked and I saw that the littles were a little less little, and a little more big.

“Goodnight my babies. I love you my littles”, said the Big.