Parkes Family

Dear 40, I'm not mad at ya! I won't deny you and celebrate 29 again... I am four decades old. That's a boatload of days. 14,600 days old to be exact. Fun Fact: I have a LOT to show for forty years old! I'm not about to list material things because what shows my age are relationships and accomplishments. Those take time. I always loved the song Time is Love by Josh Turner because I feel most loved when people spend their own valuable time being with me, giving me support, guiding me, letting me grow, holding space for me. Your time has been the ultimate gift for this birthday girl and I'm especially appreciative. Today and always. Birthdays are great days of reflection and here goes... I am proud of where I'm from. SoCal Represent! Holla! K Funk in the house! And I'm damn proud of where I am today Cali Girl Gone Country? As much 'country' as I'll ever be! If you've decided to read this, you have probably been part of this journey and for...

Tough love used to mean something entirely different to me before having a son. 'Tough love' could be used to explain the rough and tumble loving ways of toddler boy! There's no better way to describe it. I never said the following things to Allison when she was young: Don't kiss me so hard, you're going to hurt me! Try not to squeeze me so tight. I don't like it when your snuggling turns into headbutting. The way he shows love is so hard, so intense. I know that he wants to really show me what he's got when he says he wants to play on the floor. It starts beautifully. Snuggling, kisses, holidng my face with his chubby hands... and then it starts to change. Some under his breath growling, mixed in with sweet nothings like "mama you're my best girl" or "you're so important to me." Soon, he's kissing my face but also bearing his teeth. Next, comes lowering his shoulder and leaning in with all his weight into my chest. S...

Dear Mom, I'm not even sure how to describe the year 2020, let alone this holiday season. It's been weird. Different. Yet refreshingly simple. I am spending time with close family and small groups of friends here and there. It's wholesome and it's deliberate without pressure to be at all events or gatherings. So there's that. I know that other people are struggling. Some find these times everything but simple. For that reason, the holidays are complicated. You brought us up to give, to be charitable, especially during Christmastime. Do you know who needs help right now? EVERYONE. Most people need help rebuilding their faith in humanity after the past election and pandemic policies that created tumultous relationships between friends and family. Some working people need financial help because of the strains on the economy from the shutdown. Oh what shutdown? I forgot you don't know anything about it. So, we are in a pandemic. A virus, new(ish) to the p...