A reflection on 2021

 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from us to you!

While the pandemic cruelly continued to keep us far and away from most of our loved ones, 2021 was filled with both “firsts” and “lasts” and many special moments and milestones in between.  

Big birthdays (40), new hobbies (piano for Noah), sports (tennis, soccer), taste of triumphs (deep-end swim tests, soccer goals, tennis trophies), last days of old school, first day of new school (Kindergarten for Noah), demolitions, renovations, Netflix and Redbox, family escapes to mountains, lakes and waterfalls (North Woodstock and Dartmouth NH); first visit by the Tooth Fairy, early visit with Santa (Santa’s Village twice), awesome friends and lots of laughter. Vaccines and boosters, worries and relieves. A busy year in an unusual way – and I cannot help but being grateful for staying safe and healthy and for all the time we get to spend together. While some days we drive each other crazy – we will remember this year as the year of being TOGETHER.

The Truth About Santa Claus

ATTENTION TO ALL PARENTS WHO NEED TO TELL THE TRUTH ABOUT SANTA 

Son: "Dad, I think I'm old enough now. Is there a Santa Claus?."
Dad: "Ok, I agree that your old enough. But before I tell you, I have a question for you. You see, the “truth” is a dangerous gift. Once you know something, you can't unknow it. Once you know the truth about Santa Claus, you will never again understand and relate to him as you do now. So my question is: Are you sure you want to know?"
Brief pause...
Son: "Yes, I want to know"
Dad: "Ok, I'll tell you: Yes there is a Santa Claus"
Son: "Really?"
Dad: Yes, really, but he's not an old man with a beard in a red suit. That's just what we tell kids. You see, kids are too young to understand the true nature of Santa Claus, so we explain it to them in a way that they can understand. The truth about Santa Claus is that he's not a person at all; he's an idea. Think of all those presents Santa gave you over the years. I actually bought those myself. I watched you open them. And did it bother me that you didn't thank me? Of course not! In fact it gave me great pleasure. You see, Santa Claus is THE IDEA OF GIVING FOR THE SAKE OF GIVING, without thought of thanks or acknowledgement.
When I saw that woman collapse on the subway last week and called for help, I knew that she'd never know that it was me that summoned the ambulance. I was being Santa Claus when I did that."
Son: "Oh."
Dad: "So now that you know, you're part of it. You have to be Santa Claus too now. That means you can never tell a young kid the secret, and you have to help us select Santa presents for them, and most important, you have to look for opportunities to help people. Got it?"
Help each other this Christmas and...be kind 

Tooth Fairy for Noah

 Finally!

We have been waiting for months and months - Watching everyone else around you losing theirs. Your bottom tooth has been wiggling since the summer it feels like, then the one next to it too, then your new teeth behind them started showing and yet your baby teeth hang on tight. Then the night before Thanksgiving you were eating your favorite - liver pate sandwich - and suddenly you looked up and said: "Oh I lost a tooth, I lost a tooth!' and you put it right in front of me, so tiny:)

An hour later you ran in my bedroom "I lost another one" hahahaha. Two in an hour. You had no mercy on the tooth fairy the night before Thanksgiving. Poor thing had to travel in all that traffic to get to you. And that she did!

Next morning, you found your little jar with two GOLD dollar coins - one of which had Martin van Buren on it - we all thought it said Martin van Ruben hahahaha. You were so happy and you had so many questions: "How does her hand fit in that jar? How did she put it under your bed and why, when you put the jar on the nightstand? How did she come inside? Why two coins? Why gold coins?" - you were so excited and so adorable:)

I'm so happy for you buddy - you were waiting and waiting patiently (sometimes not so patiently) and it finally came! you didn't cry, you didn't freak out, you explained that it was bleeding a little but it's okay to eat your own blood a little hahah. As long as it's your own:) (Woo else's would it be - you are not a vampire). 

You were so thrilled - and you speak so funny now with the two missing. The new teeth came behind them, I hope they will move into the old space and straighten out.

Anyway, so happy for you Kicsi Lego:) I love you!

- Mommy

Noah’s first soccer game

 9/11/2021

First soccer game on the fields behind the Ahern middle school in foxboro! Thursday would have been the first practice but it was cancelled due to rain so there we were at your first game, with no practice. We have never met the coach or the other kids but you were so ready! You were so excited, you didn’t complain about anything in the morning. You woke up, changed into your gear, ate your breakfast, took your medicine, brushed your teeth and you were ready. 

The weather was absolutely gorgeous! Couldn’t have been any better. Sunny Saturday morning about 65 degrees and warming up.

We got to the field and found the coach, introduced you , got your uniform and off we were to the sidelines. 

And that’s when it happened. I mean wow! You started to play like you have played your whole life. You dribbled the ball, passed to teammates, listened to instructions, ran up and down and scored the first goal and then seven more! Amazing. 

We tried to catch it on video but I think we were so amazed that we only caught a little bit on camera. It was priceless. You loved every second! I was so proud. Daddy was so proud. 

And most of all you kept your head down, you were humble and kind. I was so impressed! That’s my boy. 

You were so cute. We told you not tog ER cocky if you do things well or better than others and you took it to heart so much , you didn’t show an ounce of arrogance. I almost felt bad that you seemed almost nervous to celebrate even though you were so awesome! When we got in the car, all you said to me was “mommy, I thought I did really well, but I kept it inside, I didn’t say anything to anyone, only in my own brain I said I was good”. You are the best. You take everything to heart and follow through. Not an easy task especially at this age. Kudos to you Kicsi Lego! I love you so so much! And just know- I’d love you just as much even if you didn’t do well! To me you are awesome in every way- nothing could ever change that. 

-Mommy

Kindergarten for first born - Mommy's perspective

Kindergarten has started for Noah on 9/1/2021. He went last Wednesday and Thursday and then he was off on Friday and Monday (Labor Day). He is back in today. 

So far, Noah LOVES Kindergarten! He tells us about his teachers, his food and his friends. He even did yoga on the first day! He was so excited to go the second day, he was up at 6 am. He loves having a back pack and baby Yoda lunch box. We also shopped new outfits and shoes which he is super excited about. He loves sport brand like Nike and Under Armor, and I got some deals in TJ Maxx, so we bought quiet a few outfits. 

I am thrilled that he loves Kindergarten, but this journal entry isn't about him. It's about Mommy - because sometimes we all just need to vent. 

I must say it's been WAY HARDER than I anticipated that it would be. The day before his first day we had to go for a 90 min orientation where the kids saw their classroom, saw where they will sit, met their new friends and teacher. They even went on a bus ride (which Noah LOVED); the parents sat in the cafeteria where we got some information from the principal, the school nurse, the food service leader, etc. and then went into a classroom to meet the teacher. This was all good and exciting until in the room with the teacher, she was having trouble talking and breathing so per another dad's suggestion, she took her masks off. I was LIVID. Just the Friday before I had to ask her to sit him separately from our neighbor's kid, whose parents are not vaccinated and Noah is high risk; and then she goes ahead and removes her mask right in front of me, indoors. 

Next day (first day of school), I went to pick up Noah and the first thing he said is that it was awesome and he even made a best friend, his name is Kyle - OF COURSE he is the neighbor's kid!!! my anxiety went through the roof. I am so so worried about Noah because of all of his illnesses and respiratory issues since he was little - I cannot have him with unvaccinated people. Of course, all of his classmates are unvaccinated since they are not eligible yet, but I wish their parents were. I know vaccinated people can still carry and transmit the virus, but unvaccinated people carry higher dose and therefore can transmit higher dose. I need Noah SAFE! As much as possible. I HATE that he has to start Kindergarten under these circumstances.

I am trying not to show him my anxiety at all - and I am so happy that he loves going - but I haven't slept for a week. I keep waking up at 3 am and I can't go back to sleep. The night time is the worst, I have so much worry - I don't know what to do with it. If I imagine anything happening to my kids - during nighttime - my brain goes wild. It's awful. I am working on trying to remain positive, especially since we don't really have a choice. He has to go to school. There isn't an option for remote or hybrid learning, so I don't really have a safer choice. I must make peace with it. 

On the other hand, I must mention how insanely chaotic the start of the school has been. It is a myriad of information to process, to read, to sign, to fill out, to bring home and to return, to pay. Need to sign up for various lists, and apps to handle his food order, his medications, his soccer practice, swim lessons, piano lessons, all of his gears and supplies etc. It is a full-time job and last week with all the emotions running high, I was super stressed out. Hopefully this will settle down soon and things will get a little easier because this is way to much to handle and I usually pride myself on performing well under pressure. 

At least we had a 4-day weekend which has been nice. I can't wait for the next weekend already haha:)

I think I will feel better when Ollie goes to the same school so they are closer. It's also hard to go Mansfield Children's Center without comparing it to school. MCC has been a God sent and right now it feels like nothing will ever compare to it. In any case, Noah is happy and handling it like a true big boy which makes me very proud! We can do this together. We are a great team:) I just need some time to adjust. 

- Mommy

  

Kindergarten here he comes - Noah

 My Dearest Noah!

I can't believe it's time for your Kindergarten! We even delayed you by a year for several reasons, mainly the pandemic and remote learning last year, and still, I feel like time is passing way too fast. My first baby! How are you already 6 years old? How are you going to big kids school? 

On the other hand, I know you are so ready. You are incredibly smart and highly intuitive - you are going to be okay. Not only okay but you are going to have an amazing time. I know it!

I am sad that you are done with Mansfield Children's Center but hoping that you will spend some time there on school vacations and summer. We will see. That place was a God sent to you and us as a family. Ollie is still there for another year so it's not a final good bye yet. 

I am curious how will you and Ollie do without each other. Yesterday you spent the morning in Ollie's class because we didn't send you to a filed trip and you didn't want to leave. Ollie was so excited to have you that he didn't leave you alone for second. You two are a miracle together. Truly amazes me every day. But it's only for a year and then he will go to the same school as you (different class of course). 

I am thinking about your schedule. You love activities but you also love being home and doing Legos. I don't want to create the hamster wheel we had before the pandemic, running around every day till it's bed time. But you love piano, and you are starting soccer which you are so excited about, and we are resuming swimming so it's a pretty full schedule. You also started to take tennis lessons - but maybe that will need to stop. I don't know yet. I will talk to you about it this weekend. 

I love chatting with you. It is not only fun but insightful. You are so beyond your age when it comes to conversations. I feel lucky to be your mom and your friend. For now - I hope it will never change. Right now, you tell me everything, and you share your feelings so openly! You are honest to a fault and observant beyond measures. It's incredible how you can pick up on so many details and nuances both visible and/or not. 

I am nervous about school only because of the pandemic. The virus has a new variant that is more dangerous to kids and the mask mandate is only until October 1st as of now. Many people are pushing back for reasons unknown to me. Maddening! I want you to be safe, I NEVER EVER want to see you sick. It hurts my body, heart and mind. 

Anyway, good luck my boy! You got this and you will ace it. Don't forget to have fun and learn something new every day! Remember, you are never too smart and never too old to learn new things. It's the beauty in life!

I love you with all my heart Kicsi Lego!

- Mommy

 

Phrases that made a difference

Meaningful phrases that made a difference: 

1. I am not interested in whether you stood with the great. I am interested in whether you sat with the broken. 

2. Ever since I learned to talk, I was ordered to listen. 

Pandemic in our house

Pandemic in our house

It's been almost 14 months since the pandemic began; and we are still home. I can't lie I LOVE the no commute, mostly because it allows a way better work life balance than before. I LOVE waking up with you boys; you are just so cute cuddling in the morning. 

Daddy is getting his second Moderna vaccine this afternoon, and I am getting my second Pfizer tomorrow. I am a bit scared of the side effects, mostly because I don't want to feel yucky at the same time as Daddy and have you guys worry about us. This is a totally normal side effect of the vaccine and we have some tylenol to help if needed. Might be lots of pizza, cookies and TV weekend though:) 

I have so many thoughts every day that I want to tell you boys, but when I sit down to write - nothing comes to me, except how much I love you both. I sometimes I feel that I didn't achieve much in life, but then I realize that I have you two. Motherhood is by far the biggest achievement and reward in my life. It challenges me every day but also fill my heart. 

Now that Daddy and I will be vaccinated, I wonder if we could venture out more, but then I start worrying about Noah. Noah, you can't catch the corona virus - with your asthma, I feel like your lungs need to be protected above beyond. You wont' be able to get a vaccine at least until the end of this year - so I don't think our lives will change much until then. Sometimes, I say "unfortunately" but then I wonder "is it unfortunate?". At the beginning of the pandemic it was hard to coop with the lack of things to do and places to go. Now, a year after, I am struggling with having the motivation or desire to go anywhere. I like being home with you boys, and the thought of going anywhere makes me worried - I don't know why. 

I like the comfort and safety of our home, and I am having the jitters when I think of leaving it even for a short distance or short period of time. It will get some getting used to, but we will get there. I want you boys to see so many things in the world! Travel and experience different places and different people. It is by far the best thing in this world! 

Also, Noah I want to get you a dog. And a mouse. Whatever you want really, but I don't know how to figure out what to do with them if and when we want to travel. Pets make you less free - the reward is worth it usually but it is still something we must figure out. I am working on it though, you are so good with puppies - and I know how I felt when I was your age and how much I want it a puppy. So believe me bud, I will get us one:)

The Day of my Citizenship Interview

The Day of my Citizenship Interview

The Day has come. Finally. After almost 20 years in the United States, I have finally arrived to this milestone. I took my civics test today and interview for the approval of my American citizenship in Boston, MA in the JFK Building. 

My appointment was set for 7:00 am and I arrived promptly, despite some unexpected traffic during a pandemic and school vacation week. I walked into the building, where I went through security, put my mask on and went to the 6th floor. There, they took my temperature (standard procedure nowadays everywhere) and gave me my assigned number "P1". 

I was seated in a room where chairs were positioned 6 feet apart, with only one other individual "P2". 

P2 was called inside within ten minutes, but for some unknown reason, I was waiting 45 minutes. I was growing frustrated, not because I mind the wait (after all, I waited 20 years already) but because I was nervous about the virus. Finally they called me in, went through my application file, asked some general questions, including whether I wanted to change my name. This took me by surprise. There has been so many back and forth about my name in the past few years, and every time I waiver a bit. I kept my name when I married Ruben, because I couldn't imagine myself as anything else than Szilvia Szegedi. 

Then my children were born, and they got Daddy's name. At least one last name: Martin. And all of a sudden that is all I wanted. I always thought when I finally get my citizenship, I will change it to match theirs. But then the application time came and I went back and forth, soliciting more than a couple of people's input. Finally, I decided to keep my name. My children carry my last name as their middle name anyway. We all have different last names, but we are one family. And I was glad to keep the name I had for nearly 40 years. 

But then, today when the woman asked me about it again, I couldn't help but doubt myself...again. I truly hate this feeling. I was so excited to be over with and pass the test but this put a cloud over my head as I walked out of there with doubts about my decision. I stuck with my decision because I knew I thought it through once already and made a decision. An impulsive decision wouldn't have been better. So many things are uncertain nowadays, I need to trust some of my decisions at least. 

So, I kept my name. The civics test contains of 10 question, of which, I must answer 6 correctly. Since I answered the first six correctly, there was no more questions. They asked:

1. What is the capitol of Massachusetts?
2. What happened on September 11, 2001?
3. What does the judicial part of the government do? 
4. What is one responsibility assigned to the federal government? 
5. For how many years do we choose a representative? 
6. Who makes federal laws? 

Once I passed that test, I had to write down: Mexico is south of the United States.  

And I had to read what country is south of the United States? 

After this, she sent my recommendation for approval for my citizenship, congratulated me, and told me the oath ceremony would be in a week or two. Big step in my life, and it has not sunken in yet. It's weird. I thought I would feel such a high after but I am anxious and I don't know why, other than I always do the same thing after a big event, I anticipate how excited I will be after but then I just feel a big void. 

In any case, I know this is huge and I am happy it's over. And I am still Szilvia Szegedi, proud mama to Noah and Oliver Martin - the best things that have ever happened to me. 

Notes to remember from the book "The Choice"

Notes to remember from the book "The Choice"

Exceptional book. I've read a lot of self helping book or memoir but not many had such a great impact on me as this one. Dr. Eger is amazing. Her story is amazing, though sadly one in many many of the Holocaust survivors. But her triumph, her way of not only surviving but thriving is exceptional. 

I am still reading it, but there has been a couple of points she makes that I want to remember and practice in my life, so I decided to write them down:

1. No blame: 

Take responsibility for your own actions and words. Before you say or do anything ask:

Is this kind? 

Is it important?

Does it help? 

2. Use teamwork to achieve common goals. If the house needs cleaning, each member of the family should have an age appropriate job. If you decide to watch or go to the movies - take turns to choose the movie. No one bears the wheel all the way. 

3. Be consistent - if curfew has been established, it can't change last minute. 

To keep in your mind and heart

 To keep in your mind and heart

Recently I read:

12 most important teachings of Buddhism about human relationships

1. Don't feel bad because there are people who only remember you when they need you. Feel privileged to have the candle in their minds that burns when they are in the dark.

2. There will always be someone in your life who does not treat you well. Thank him for making you stronger.

3. If someone mistreats you, remember:

There is something wrong with him, not you. Healthy people do not destroy each other.

4. When it hurts, listen. Life is trying to teach you something.

5. There are three solutions to every problem: accept, change, or let go. If you can't accept, make a difference. If you can't change it, let it go.

6. Let people judge you. Let them misunderstand you. Let them gossip about you. What they think of you is not your problem. Their opinion will not pay your bills. So stay kind, love persistently and be a free personality, whatever they say or do, never doubt your value and the beauty of truth. Keep shining and let the haters hate.

7. No matter how educated, talented, cool, or rich you think you are, the way you treat others will eventually tell you all about you. Integrity is everything.

8. The less you care what people think of you, the happier you will be.

9. Silence is the best answer to those who don't appreciate your words.

10. If you think everything is someone else's fault, you will suffer a lot. When you understand that everything starts from you, you will find peace and joy.

11. Where there is no respect, there is no love.

12. Relationships never die natural death. They are killed by ego, rejection and attitude.

A Brief Reflection on 2020

A Brief Reflection on 2020

While 2020 was, in many ways, disastrous and difficult, we were one of the luckier ones in the sense that we avoided any major tragedy. I know many have lost their lives or their loved ones, or lost a job and income, many have lost their businesses, the sole source of their family income and so on. We cannot compare to those and my reflection is purely based on our situation only. 

While we were confined in many ways, and could not see our families or travel to them, we haven't lost our jobs and we haven't gotten sick. We might have lost some luxuries and freedom to do whatever we want, but in the big picture, that was nothing. 

In my view 2020 actually brought many blessings. 

Of course, I miss a lot  of things, mostly being able to travel and see our families, and I do not like to constant worry and anxiety. However, I love that life slowed down a bit. I am able to have breakfast with my kids every morning and get the morning cuddles and smiling faces which I missed every morning I left to my early train to head into the city.

As I am working on our yearly family photo album, I have come to realize that the 2020 book will be thicker than any other year since I started this tradition. We have done so much as a family, so much with the kids that we would have never experienced has it not been for the pandemic.

SO what I wish for 2021 and for the future is to hold onto to the blessings and lessons that 2020 brought to our lives, maintain the new priorities, while of course reach a less worrisome environment. This seems way easier said than done of course. When things resume, it will take a conscious decision to not get caught up in the hamster wheel and not chase our tails. To savor what we have instead of craving what we don’t.

I do want to say that my heart goes out to those who have lost their lives or their loved ones or their jobs. We might have gone crazy balancing work and two preschoolers during a pandemic with no help of any sort, but our struggles do NOT compare to those I'm thinking of right now. I hope the world will become more safe and enjoyable soon and we can all celebrate in small ways.