Tuesday, September 28, 2010

Octagon crackers...




I'm sitting here eating some soup, because it's a soup-eating kind of day, and wishing I had some crackers to throw in my bowl. Any crackers would be good, though I would prefer some oyster crackers - or octagon crackers, as Peter called them.

As you may know from previous posts, Peter ate predominantly beige food, and crackers were one of his favorites. Most of the time he asked for crackers with cream cheese (they're pretty good if you've never tried them, though they're far from a healthy snack) or crackers with peanut butter and marshmallow fluff (in which case he ate only the marshmallow and nothing else) but he also loved munching on octagon crackers. I think he started eating them when he was one or two because they're little and easy to pick up and as far back as I can remember he referred to them only as octagon crackers. I think oyster crackers more closely resemble hexagons, but how a two-year-old knows what an octagon is I will never know.

For some reason he was pretty knowledgeable about shapes. I know he had a Diego game for his Leapster that taught him about shapes, but still - we would be out somewhere and he'd say, "look Mama, a semi-circle" or he'd rearrange his half-eaten toast (another beige favorite) to show me what a parallelogram looked like. I honestly can't tell you what's normal for a two, three or four-year old, but he always amazed me...



11 comments:

  1. I love this story.
    what a great memory!
    :)

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  2. I am so glad you continue to share these stories. Like so many others who never got to meet your kids, I really feel as if I know them thanks to this blog.

    Even when you are feeling down, repetitive, angry, etc., I think it is so important to do this when you are able. Really it is important for all of us, especially those of us whose memories are failing before we even hit 40.

    Keep swimming, dear Amy.

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  3. Peter and Kate both were amazing children... I feel like I know them... they both so remind me of my niece Evelyn, who is 5, and Charlie, who is 2. They both must have had the most amazing spirits! I am sure they are always with you - watching, as you eat your soup and octagon crackers... as you listen to music that Kate used to love... and of course, while you are getting married. I just know that they are watching over you...

    Thanks for sharing! Now I want some octagon crackers!

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  4. He's just precious. I often think of how you said he ate a "beige diet" - and have stolen that term to describe my own son's all white-ish food fixation. I hope your wedding plans are going well. I hope your feel your little ones with you in these next few weeks - though I know such closeness brings some tears. Sending you beautiful thoughts and wishing the happy memories will keep you centered as you make this happy transition :-).

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  5. I have only to correct one thing: Peter ate "creme" cheese, not cream cheese (pronounced like that). He always said that, and now I still always call it creme cheese :)

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  6. Adorable little boy - beautiful face!!!!

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  7. Amy, I'm just thinking of you and your children today. Sending you thoughts of peace.

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  8. Just wanted to make sure that you know about The Compassionate Friends, a nationwide support group for those who have lost children. I heard about the group on NPR and thought of you,even though I have never met you! A couple whose sons, both in their twenties, died in a car accident talked about the profound isolation they felt afterward, and about how helpful it has been to connect with people who can understand how they feel.

    Here is the statement from their founder, from their website (which I just googled):

    “The Compassionate Friends is about transforming the pain of grief into the elixir of hope. It takes people out of the isolation society imposes on the bereaved and lets them express their grief naturally. With the shedding of tears, healing comes. And the newly bereaved get to see people who have survived and are learning to live and love again.”

    Like everyone, I wish there were more I could do.

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  9. Ahhhhh! Crackers! Love em'
    Peter and I would have gotten along great!
    Cream Cheese, Butter, Peanu butter, Margerine, cheese spread, all are great on crackers!
    Gonna go get me a box of saltines and the philly right now! Yum!

    Thanks for sharing the wonderful stories!
    Prayers to you....

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  10. You got married this weekend, right? Can't wait to hear about the details!!

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  11. i just wanted you to know that i have been thinking about 'octogon crackers' since i read this post. i think that's their new name. thanks, Peter-sweetie-pie.
    i hope the wedding was as perfect as it could be. im hoping you got my email about the dream i had about your kids. it was the night you were coming home from camping and you saw that accident. i hope it didn't upset you.
    xoxo
    lis

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