Heaven from a child's perspective

Calvin's Mom & Dad

some of you may know my father passed away recently (3 Feb 2009). we are all doing our best to find strength in one another and rather than mourning his death, we have chosen to celebrate his life.

after my dad died, i was trying to figure out what to tell the kids exactly. i thought about what to say, how to say it and when to say it until i just said it. it went like this and if i do say so myself, it went smoother than i could have asked.

Daddy (D): Grady & Cyrus I want to have a talk with the two of you about something very important.

Grady & Cyrus (G&C): what daddy?

D: you know that grandpa has been sick and not feeling well lately, right?

G&C: yeah.

D: well grandpa died and went to heaven to live with God. do you know where heaven is?

G&C: in the sky.

D: yes, heaven is in the sky and is very faraway. It's further than the clouds.

C: is it further than where the airplanes fly?

D: yes Cyrus it is further away than where the airplanes fly. it's further than the moon, too.

C: and the stars daddy?

D: yes Grady, it's further than the stars too.

C: is it further than where E.T. lives?

D: yes cyrus, it is further than where E.T. lives. heaven is as far away as possible, but really close to home too, because heaven lives in your heart, too and all of the people that go to heaven live in our hearts.

G:why did grandpa die?

D: because grandpa was sick and tired and everyone dies some day. but grandpa now lives in heaven with GOD and he will surely tell GOD that he has the best grandkids in the world and to make sure that he has extra angels looking out for them. also, when you die some day, you will have friends and angels that you already know in heaven.

G&C:okay. can we have a snack?

D: sure you can have a snack. let's have a snack for grandpa because he really loved snacks.

C: cool

I couldn't have written a better script and the kids really helped to cheer me up and make me feel better. thank goodness for their perspective.

cw

Cyrus Funny Story

Cyrus Funny Story

This past fall, we took one of many trips to the Central Park Merry-Go-Round. It is one of Cyrus' most favorite places to visit. Afterwards, we went to have a bit of lunch with the kids at a diner on Lexington and 68th Street. I took Cyrus to potty and when we came out of the restroom, there was quite a gentleman waiting who had quite a big belly and as if on cue, Cyrus patted the guy on the belly and asked him if he was having a baby. I didn't know whether to laugh or hide my head in shame and apologized to the man for Cyrus' question. I told Cyrus that the man wasn't having a baby because men can't have babies and his reply was " Yes they can Daddy. You and Papi had me." Awwwwww.

Grady's Adoption Day 23 Feb 2007

Grady's Adoption Day 23 Feb 2007

Daddy, Grady, Judge Sosa & Papi

Grady's Adoption Day 23 Feb 2007

We officially adopted Grady two years ago today, although her "GOTCHA" day was 23 Feb 2005. The "GOTCHA" day is the day that she came into our lives, but she wasn't actually adopted until two years later. The process was long and very emotional but well worth the wait. We wouldn't have wanted it any other way. 

Please help us to recognize our family's big day by telling someone that you love just how special they are to you.  

Grady...the photo that captured my heart

Grady and the photo that captured my heart

I took this photo on Grady's 7 month birthday. She had been in our home for two weeks and we were already so in love with her but we weren't planning to adopt her as she was only to be our foster child until she could be placed back with her birthmother. Obviously, those plans changed but that is another story. Back to the picture. I wanted to do something special for the big day, so I purchased a little paper tiara and gave her some treats and made her the princess of the day. I wanted to capture the day by taking photos. The result is below and at that very moment she fully captured my heart. I was a goner and she had the string to my heart wrapped tightly around her little finger. I couldn't believe such a young child could have so much spunk and determination or that it would be possible to love someone so much. 

This photo set the wheels in motion for me to do all I can to make sure that she had the best life possible, whether in our home or not.

Grady's MLK Jr day school performance

Grady's MLK Jr. Celebration Day

Grady's school (PS 361 The Children's Workshop) has an annual MLK Jr. Celebration. Her class sang "This Little Light of Mine" although I couldn't really understand much of what they were singing. They had fun but let's just say that this was not a Broadway or even Off-Broadway production. They do this every year and next year both Grady & Cyrus will be in it. At least it's cheaper than the The Wicked on Broadway.

Fashion Victims

Grady & Cyrus as cover models

a few months back, Italian Vogue did an issue dedicated to all black models. it was quite a big deal for the fashion world, as models of color are seldom featured in editorial shoots.

anyway, grady & cyrus, under the direction of their crazy daddy, me, decided to do their own covers. 

the kids killed it. i have never in my life laughed so hard at the two of them. it was a battle between baby tyson and little naomi.

hope you like.

Milano

I just arrived in Milano, Italy for another season of fashion shows and had a crazy flight. There was a young couple, who had a small child, maybe 4 or 5 months old. The kid was precious and all of the flight attendants and passengers, including myself were cooing over the kid before takeoff.

Then it happened. We take off from JFK and the kid begins to cry. And cry. And cry. And cry some more. The poor child cried for 5 hours. Really. I couldn't believe that he cried so much. I felt awful for both him and his parents, as this once "cute baby" was now being perceived as a holy terror. Being a parent myself, I just went with the flow, kept my cool and listened to my IPOD, and read a book.

CYRUS

CYRUS

what a blessing Cyrus is to all of us. he is so kind, easy-going, beautiful, caring, thoughtful and is more than any parent could ask for from a child.

he never fails to ask me when i return home from work "how was your work daddy?" he screams when he hears the key enter the lock of the front door and there he is waiting for me with hugs and kisses. who doesn't want that kind of welcome when they get home?

we have been so blessed to call Cyrus our son and we are happy that he found us in this world. life wouldn't be the same without him.

his smile radiates joy....

his heart beams with love....

his eyes shine with hope....

he is wise beyond his years....

he's our pride & joy and we promise to share his light with the world.