Beneath the Wraps

--> --> When Jenna was three she discovered some blue gravel that had been dumped by the shed.   Biff had left it there after cleaning out a fish tank.   Jenna thought that they were beautiful seeds and wanted to plant them.   I tried to explain that they weren’t seeds – but she was insistent that we bury them so that they would grow into a beautiful flower. Everyday she would check the spot where the “seeds” had been planted – impatient that the flowers had not bloomed overnight.   Again, I tried to explain to her that even if the seeds had been real seeds – flowers do not spring up overnight.   It takes time.   Especially in our family, it seems. Jenna did not stop checking.   She was determined that her flower would grow.   She watered the area.   She talked to it.   She was certain that a flower would grow.   I really did not want her to be crushed and so devastate...

--> When Jenna was younger, we would go for walks ALL of the time.   I would point things out as we passed different yards.   “Oh, look at the flowers”   “See that pretty pin wheel”     The thing that she seemed to overlook with each yard I pointed out was the well.   I never understood why she couldn’t see them.   Several yards contained some form of a wishing well.   I don’t know how many walks we took before I realized she was looking for a “whale” ******************************************************************* Jenna was three the first time we had taken her to Arizona.   We were actually in the city part when Jenna asked, “Are we in a dessert?”   I turned around in disbelief.   How did she know that Arizona is a desert state?   “Yes we are.” I proudly beamed. Jenna appeared to be highly disappointed.   And here is why: “I have looked and looked and I have not see...

Her hair always seems to be disheveled at best Doesn’t wish to hold barrettes or bows or curls Usually she has hair hanging in her face She is far from being one of those prissy girls She’ll wear shoes just in order to climbs trees Clothes don’t stay clean or well kept for long She loves the outdoors, she loves to explore She’s always been free-spirited and head-strong Her favorite Princess is Brave’s Merida Who is concerned with things more important than looks She discovers as much as she can first handedly And has many adventures through her books I would like to say that she is one of a kind But I see in her my own mirror to the past When I was the one with the mussed up hair Climbing trees and making adventures last                                     ...

It is nearing the end of the school year and Jenna tells me she has to do some research on Sir Isaac Newton for an upcoming report.   She tells me that it has to be ten pages and has to be turned in by Monday.   Funny how I didn’t question the report itself – though the amount of pages and deadline threw me somewhat. Generally her teachers have sent out an outline of the things that the class will be learning during the course of the year.   Usually they have worked an entire month on any given project.   And ten pages is a lot for high school students – let alone third graders.   She must have heard wrong. I asked her what teacher had given the assignment and type up an e-mail as I believe that Jenna’s understanding is not correct.   Just as I finish and am about to press send, Jenna begs me not to.   “Why not?” I ask.   “Because it’s not a real assignment.   I just made it up.   I’m interested in learning abo...

--> Jenna LOVES to jump. I believe she was jumping before she was walking – though she always had assistance.   I remember my mom watching my arms moving up and down at a rapid pace and commenting that I might be going to fast. “It isn’t me!” I would say, “Jenna’s the one who’s jumping” When the library did a theme on superheroes and allowed the children to make capes and personalize it with initials.   We chose JJ for Jumping Jenna.   There was a trampoline in my mom’s yard and a trampoline in Patrick’s yard.   And Jenna thought that was one of the coolest devices that she has ever enjoyed.   She could bounce just like a ball.   And her smile was always pure joy.   Jenna loved the trampoline.   The trampoline that was in my mom’s yard had been purchased by mom and dad and Patrick.   It was a gift to all of us – even though Patrick had paid I think half.   The frame has seen many tarps and sets of springs ov...

Before Jenna started kindergarten we would read books like “The Little Red Hen” and “Frog and Toad”.   I would point to words as I read them and as words started to repeat, I would have her say them.   So before school started she was able to read words such as: hen, frog, toad, red, Not I, said and he .   She could not read the names of states on License plates – nor was she educated enough to decipher between state and country. The rules of the license plate game (according to Tony) are rather simple.   All participants need to look for license plates from out of the state.   Whoever sees and says the most is the winner. Tony would often play the game himself but would say the names out loud. Jenna decided that she would play too. “Arizona,” she’d say. “I already called Arizona.” “Idaho.” “You didn’t see Idaho.” I don’t think she did.   But she insisted on it.   Tony ended up giving it to her out of pity. “Wyoming!” Tony called. “G...

When I dropped Jenna off this morning, I noticed several seagulls appeared to be basking out in the field.  The sun was just starting to peak its head over the horizon. It had rained earlier.  I’m certain that the lawn was wet.  I suppose they could have been looking for worms I was reminded of Roland’s answer to all of his children having asked, “Can we take one home?” And Roland would answer with, “If you can catch one, you can take it home.” The boys would wear themselves out as they chased the birds around – never having caught one, though I would imagine Biff came close.  He’s an animal charmer, that one.  Perhaps his magnetic charisma works just on the mammal group in the animal kingdom. I have home videos of both Jenna and Kayla approaching ducks and watching the ducks move at the same pace.  With Kayla, it was near the temple grounds in Idaho Falls .  Jenna was much younger when she sought out a particular bir...

          Ellen found my mom passed out.  (This was last month - when mom was still in her house and not in assisted living) Her jewelry holder was on top of her.  Not good memories for Ellen – who doesn’t wear jewelry anyway.  I don’t wear much (jewelry) – certainly not enough for the wonderful piece of furniture I remember mom purchasing many years ago.  I don’t think I would have even thought about it one way or the other, but it had been moved into the same room where most of the photographs were.  I made a request to have it.           Roland brought it in the house and started to put it our room.            “I got that for Jenna,” I said.           He’s ordered her to take really good care of it because it’s an heirloom.  That cracked me up....

         Children call her the animal balloon lady as she has brought her pump and balloons to various activities providing the children with a sweet gift to take home (provided it doesn’t pop first) Noel announced a service that she would be providing for parents to drop off their children for four hours and she would provide snacks for them and a play a holiday movie and provide other activities.  Sounded like a great bargain to me.           I signed up for Jenna’s sake more than my own.  I figured she’d enjoy the activities and association with whatever fellow classmates might have showed up.           Noel offered two shifts: 8-12 and 1-5.  I chose the earlier of the two – figuring there would be less children and it wouldn’t be so overwhelming for Noel to have a huge amount of children in her apartment.      ...

          Jenna rarely ever produces a long list of desired gifts for Christmas.  Usually she has her heart set on just one thing – and nothing else seems to matter.           When Jenna was three the one and only thing she wanted was a Caillou doll.  Caillou is a cartoon character she really seemed into at the time.  I didn’t even know if any toy company made Caillou dolls.  I was guessing probably not.           I researched but came up empty-handed, but didn’t want to disappoint her.  It was the ONLY thing she had asked for. As a last resort I made two paper dolls and included three sets of clothes for each doll hoping that it would satisfy her.           Oh, I am so grateful to have captured as many memories on my camcorder (the old kind that ...