RBG (no, RBC!), Bonfires, Birthdays, and a Walking Taco

Mali ~ 

So, as you can probably tell, I'm slowly moving into doing these entries a little bit further apart. Life has felt a bit like the movie Groundhog Day while at the same time completely overwhelming lately. The global pandemic, current state of political and cultural chaos, interesting family dynamics, as well as the state of our family's financial situation having also been impacted as well. We'll be fine. We'll all be fine...but I just thought I'd lessen the pressure on myself in any way I can by slacking just a bit on these blog entries. Plus, you are living more and more of an independent life with each passing year, making your own special memories with your own unique opinions; perhaps it's time that these blogs shift a little to adjust to our new realities, anyway. I don't know. We'll see how it goes. 

As for September and October...here we go!

September, first...

One of the most exciting things to have happened this autumn was what you came home with in your backpack one afternoon. You got in the car and said, "Guess what we found today!"

I did not expect to see THIS when I peeked inside!

A 6 week old kitten! 

Evidently, you and your friends had spent almost 2 hours coaxing it out from underneath a vent at City Hall in Westerville. You and Lauren, in particular, refused to give up on her. She rode around in your backpack while you and your friends took her to Lauren's house for some food and water, then rode her over to the vet's office to see if she had a microchip. (She didn't). I thought that was so incredibly kind and responsible of you all. 

Since none of your other friends were allowed to keep the kitten, and by this time you had all fallen in love with her, we decided to beg and plead with Lao Lao to take her in. She accepted and is now the proud mama of Ruth Bader Catsburg, in honor of our recently deceased Supreme Court Justice and true American hero. 

As you can see, she is fitting in just fine with her new big brother, Max.

So, while you were running around with friends and rescuing cats like a superhero, Daddy and I were enjoying walks through the autumn woods and ice cream treats with Suzy and Grizz. 

GG is taking after his sister, Suzy, lounging around like a sniper...

And the animals also enjoyed jumping on the bed at night so Mommy has to slither in the one empty space like a snake...

Lots of animal news this fall. Thankfully, it helped distract us from covid and the ever-unfolding turmoil around our country. 

Due to said turmoil, we missed getting to take any proper vacations this year.  So, you and I decided to remedy that, at least on a miniature scale.

We decided to get out of town and ended up near Cincinnati at the Loveland Castle and then on to Jungle Jim's for treats. It was a fun, spontaneous day trip, always a good time when I get to hit the road with you. My favorite road trip conversationalist and fellow adventurer.

this is actually gummy corn!

And speaking of corn...here, Lao Lao is showing off her growing garden and burgeoning crop of sweet corn to some of your friends who came over for a visit. Everyone went home with a fresh ear from these yummy stalks!

Later that same night, Daddy drove your friends home and stopped at the 9/11 memorial in Westerville to show it to you all. It was a solemn occasion as you remembered the tragedy of that day 19 years ago, but not without some light-heartedness as Daddy recalls each of your friends pointing at parts of the memorial, using their ears of corn (husks and silks and all) as pointer sticks. It added some much needed levity to the evening. 

Remember how I mentioned that we lost Justice Ginsburg this autumn? Well, it really hit the entire country hard. The woman is a legend. A trailblazer. Ahead of her time. A glass ceiling breaker. A fearless fighter for human rights. Spunky as hell and full of life up until the very end. If you do anything, look her up. Read about her. Watch the movie about her life. You won't regret it.

When the nation heard of her passing, many people made pilgrimages to DC, just to lay flowers at the steps of SCOTUS. Three of my friends did just that. Evidently, the floral scent permeated the air surrounding SCOTUS for days. Candles, letters, signs, flowers, and weeping crowds stood vigil. 

And while they were flying to DC, we paid tributes here back home. 

On the coattails of Ruth, there was more. Unfortunately, there's always more. I include all of this because it is part and parcel to the multitude of what weighs so heavily on me lately, and why I am slowing these entries a bit.  

So, we also had a local memorial/vigil for another tragedy within the Black Lives Matter movement. Breonna Taylor. Her murder by police officers actually happened in March, but justice has still not been served and the insults to this injury continue to happen...all these months later. This is another case for you to look up and learn about. There are too many. I'm sick to my stomach that these brutal tragedies and injustices continue, but grateful for the local activist community that works tirelessly to shine light into these dark corners of our humanity.

If I can say one more thing...it's to remind you to always stand up for what you believe in, for those not able to stand up for themselves...and also to remind you that it's always ok to step back when you need to care for yourself as well. A delicate, but necessary balance to learn as you walk through life. 

With all of the hardships that just seem to keep on multiplying, it was hard to feel much of anything that resembled a celebration when my birthday rolled around at the end of September. I ended up taking the day off work and just hiking randomly and aimlessly around central Ohio. When I got home, Lao Lao had brought my annual birthday floral arrangement with the one red rose, had cooked us dinner, and you and Daddy had decorated the kitchen for me and given me a beautiful necklace with a perfect message/reminder for these trying times. You even indulged me with birthday hugs, panda face masks, and watched a movie (50 First Dates) with me. A perfect end to my latest trip around the sun.  

A couple days later, Lao Lao wrote this post on Facebook...it was really moving. I hope that I can communicate this level of love to you, as *your* mom. God knows there is no shortage of love, gratitude, and pride I feel being your mama, as well. 

And along with all of that mushy stuff...here's some humor. I think you were in a Starbucks bathroom when you sent me this. There's definitely no shortage of surprises and laughter as your mom, either. LOL

And now...for October...spooky season! 

Let's kick it off with our black cat, Lucky. Look at what a handsome boy he is. 

And this one below...umm...not sure what's happening here. I think we were goofing around in Target. Ha.

And back to fluff balls...get ready for some furry cuteness spam below from the Wilkinson household.

I love the tail placement here...

Lucky is doing his 4 paw knead/suckle, here...so weird.

Ok, enough with the furry friends. Where was I? 

Oh, yes...

Daddy's birthday is right on the heels of my birthday but since, once again, this year has thrown us all curveballs in being able or willing to do much in the way of celebrations, you and I played it low key and hit the road to Mansfield to surprise him with his favorite, Leaning Tower of Pizza subs. I know, I know...this is Daddy's 50th(!) birthday and it should be so much more but...well...2020. What can I say? We'll ALL likely be doing some crazy, wild celebrations once the pandemic is over and life gets back to a semblance of normal again. But for now...we have subs. 

at least he was surprised and soo happy!

Lao Lao also baked him a cake and you helped to decorate it. 

Then surprised him with it at a small bonfire outside with some of his friends. It was a quiet, calm evening for his 50th celebration...but somehow, it was perfect given the circumstances. 

So, bonfires have been the name of the game this autumn. With all of our staying at home, I'm glad we have our patio and firepit to keep us entertained while outdoors with friends. One evening, you had your friends (Avery, Bryden, and Lauren) over to hang, roast marshmallows, and make s'mores.

Another day we had just Avery over to carve pumpkins and have, you guessed it, another bonfire. 

Walking the dogs on another night, I saw our neighbor's pumpkin. I wish I would have thought of this! So awesome. #BLM

And speaking of BLM...did I mention yet that it's an election year? Yep. AND we are allowed to early vote here in Ohio...so...can you guess what I did next?

VOTED! 

With all of the BLM, injustices, chaos, political shenanigans heating up, pandemic mishandled by our current leadership, etc...it felt good to finally be able to do something other than march, make phone calls, sign petitions, donate money, send emails, attend vigils, and get into gnarly fights with Trump supporters...I FINALLY was able to VOTE. We were able to vote for Biden, and most importantly, AGAINST Trump. Perhaps this nightmare will soon be changing for the good? Early voter turnout has been insanely high, historically high, which could be a good sign for us. I am remaining cautiously optimistic. 

I snapped the following picture on the day I early voted. It was the same day that I also met your Uncle Blaize again, after several years of silence, and hopefully it's the beginning of an era for making amends. I wanted to capture the hopefulness of this moment as I took a walk later that night. It felt like the first time I could take a full breath in quite a while. Looking forward to, hopefully, more days like this. *fingers crossed*

To wrap up the rest of our October, a little nostalgia and a little trick or treating. 

Your favorite mug to use at home right now is our vintage draft beer mug from an old, OSU dive bar, hangout, and stomping grounds (Papa Joe's) that many, many of Daddy and I's generation used to love. I actually was never old enough to legally get in before it ended up burning down, but we still have 2 of these mason jar mugs that used to be filled with stale, flat beer for 25 cents. Every Tuesday, I believe. I think it's hilarious to see you walking around and drinking out of these 25+ year old mugs. Weird how things come back around.

And finally, trick or treat. Our neighborhood had trick or treat on the 29th and it was cold, dark, and rainy. You spent the evening hanging out with friends. It was a gross evening to be outside and the rest of Westerville was smart to move it to the 31st instead, when it was bright, sunny, and dry outside. But, Daddy and I made the most of it while we passed out candy on our own!

You ended up trick or treating on the 31st - good call - your first time without me, just you and your friends. Another sign you're growing up! 

Since money is tight right now, we had to get creative with your costume. It ended up being a taco pool raft with shoulder straps fashioned out of duct tape. All found in the garage...for free! Can't beat that! Plus, you thought it was funny and it was a huge hit with the other trick or treating masses.

our walking taco

the trick or treat crew...L to R
(Bryden, you, Amy, Ashley, Lauren, Orin, and Helena)

Happy Autumn and Happy Halloween, kiddo!

Love,

Mama

P.S.

On the way home from beggars night, you told me that you saw your first shooting star with all of your friends while you were hanging out after trick or treat. I could tell that you thought it was pretty special. A shooting star on Halloween night surrounded by friends. How cool is that?! 🌠