I stand on the cliffs with my son next to me
This island our prison, our home
And everyday we look out at the sea
This place is all he’s ever knownBut I’ve got a plan, and some
Wax and some string, some feathers I stole from a bird
We leap from the cliff and we hear the wind sing a song thats too perfect for wordsBut son, please keep a steady wing
And know your the only one that means anything to me
Steer clear of the sun, or you’ll find yourself in the seaNow safely away, I let out a cry
We’ll make the mainland by noon
But Icarus climbs higher still in the sky
Maybe I’ve spoken too soonBut son, please keep a steady wing
And know your the only one that means anything to me
Steer clear of the sun, or you’ll find yourself in the sea
Wont you look at your wings
They’re coming undone
They’re splitting at the seams
Steer clear of the sun, for once wont you listen to me?Oh God!
Why is this happening to me?
All I wanted was new life for my son to grow up free
And now you took the only thing that meant anything to me
I’ll never fly again, I’ll hang up my wings
Oh God!
Why is this happening to me?
All I wanted was new life for my son to grow up free
And now you took the only thing that meant anything to me
I’ll never fly again, I’ll hang up my wings
Oh God!
I had the most profound experience yesterday. An epiphany maybe? A complete stranger told my life story, in front of me, to a room full of no less than 90 college freshmen. In actuality it was everyone’s story, except I was boldly present, not only in the first chapter, with the rest of room, but I sat, solely alone, in the second chapter. Naked in front of the rest of the class. And of course, this was made worse by the fact that I hadn’t even heard this ionic story of freedom and balance before.
It was my motherhood story, but for the first time I *heard* it, saw it, felt it in my bones. I wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. But, to see myself so plainly for the first time burns with excitement. I hope this moment changes everything – changes me. I don’t feel like me right now. I feel like someone completely. I feel strong. Powerful.
But how will I feel when I go hame? The dishes are still waiting to be washed. My children still need to be driven to soccer practices – and picked up! I still gotta make chili dogs for dinner. The mundane busy-ness – the daily stuff that anchors my head below the waves of creativity.
Can I keep this moment, this feeling, this epiphany alive? I’ll let you know after the chili dogs, if I haven’t passed out on the couch from such a rigorous day!
-I wrote this yesterday, right after the class I was sitting in on. And today, as I type it out, I see at the end where I kinda make light of things. But its not meant to be light. Its true. Its truth. As Daedalus, I have responsibilities that, while mundane, are the thread and wax for the wings, and the example for the moderations I desperately want my children to learn to know when to use.
I want them to fly as close to the sun as possible, and its up to me to be the example of when and how to exercise moderation. And to show them how to maintain theirs wings, so that they and their wings grow strong and confident.
So simple. So profound. The most challenging confrontation there could possibly by.
Balance – Support – Balance
This story should be printed on a card that is handed to the parents of new borns by the doctor in the delivery room about five minutes after the baby has arrived and the initial hubbub of birth has quieted.
Lady Optimistic 
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