Connecting the Dots

Do you remember those "Connect the Dots" books we used to have as kids? Find the number 1, then connect that to number 2, and so on and so on. It all seemed so tidy. When you had done the obligatory searching, you were left with a recognizable design. Don't you wish it really worked that way? My life as a mom of two children entering adolescence has me contemplating how simple it would be if only we could follow the dots to our completed design. Instead, I am facing one of those "uncoloring book" designs that give you a page crammed full of geometric illusions. You know...you have to stare at it like one of those ink blot psychological tests and then make choices about what color to put where. It can either give you a headache, or leave you feeling very creative!

I had a very dear friend come over today to help me get this blog thing going. It reminded me of how much like my children's daily experience this might be: leaping out there into the unknown, feeling ready and excited yet unsure of what I am getting myself into. Will I like it? Will I be any good? What will people think of me? After some reassurance from my friend, I decided to take the plunge. Just do it, says the ad. Just do it, says the mom to the kids. Just do it, says me to myself! Here we go...