WHAT LUCK WE HAVE LIVING

Today, on my 47th Birthday

Today, 47 years ago, Charlene (Charlie) Elizabeth Boutillette and Richard (Rick) Patrick Needham became parents. I was their first and only child together. On May 29th, 1978 my mother was 20 years old, my father, nearly 21. Both in college studying scientific tracks (Biology and Chemistry/Geology), they welcomed me into the world on Memorial Day after a full day of playing racquetball, entertaining friends and watching Star Trek. We lived in a little apartment on campus and they were diligent in finishing school while working to support our little family. My parents would take me to classes with them and Dad still says I was the youngest college student he ever met. I am beyond close to my parents and I imagine part of this has to do with us growing up together, in a way.

This year my mother gifted me photos of the three of us during those early years when I slept on a sheepskin, had only one book (Jim Jump), lots of pots and pans for toys, endless gardens to roam around in, pastries every Wednesday from my Grammy and more love that I probably knew what to do with. I just can’t help but look at those three gorgeous humans and be swept up in the complete honor of sharing our life together.

Our family grew. I received a bonus dad, Dennis, and bonus mom, Rozann. Through Rozann and my dad, I have a sister Cathryn and two brothers, Jon and Christopher.

It takes growth and courage to open up your heart and love whoever is in front of you, without expectation or duty or obligation and I was certainly accepted and loved as a legitimate child and grandchild by both of my ‘step’ parents and their blood families. It was early on in the divorce/remarriage era and we all learned a lot, sometimes the hard way.

But I’m grateful for that too, because it showed and taught me how to love, without abandon, without boundary. There have been occasions where my heart took a hit from being too open, but that in itself is a gift. Loving too much has never been a flaw in my eyes. And, without this quality, I wouldn’t have my two amazing kids, Kai and Bodie, who are shared with me by Dan and Terri. I am so deeply moved and in love with them. How blessed am I to be offered this gift and opportunity to parent and share life with our boys? And similarly, I wouldn’t have the community of friends/family that I do. It’s inadequate to say that my friend ‘group’ is made up of intelligent and incredible people. Every. Single. Person. Is. Spectacular. And, beyond the joy of witnessing each person’s own unique blend of amazing, I’m honored to feel their deep love for me. How lucky am I?

I often ask this question to Dan, musing, when I ponder our relationship and my amazement and sometimes, bewilderment, of our relationship, and him as a person, more generally. He always says “It’s not luck”. But today, as I sit here, dog at my lap, sun peeking out of the days of rain, I can’t help but think it. “What luck…what luck!”

In this spirit, I'd like to share a first draft of a kid's book I started in 2021. Erin Elizabeth Needham. All rights reserved. ™ © What Luck We Have Living and all its contents herein.

Love, 
E

What Luck We Have Living

What Luck we Have Living, 
What LUCK, I say
What Luck we Have Living 
on this day, today.

What Luck We Have Living
says the little bull toad
as he hops very quickly 
to get off the road.

What Luck We Have Living
	moves the tall swaying tree
heavy with leaves, 
beautiful and green.

What Luck We Have Living
the little birds tweet
each morning and evening
to others they greet. 

“My Nest” 
	 	“A Bug”
			“Will you go for a fly?”
“Back off, I’m Grumpy”
				and often, just “HI!”

Look up at the skyline
as the bees buzz so close
landing on bright blossoms
or the tip of your nose!

What Luck We Have Living 
says the house Gecko
as they bid us “good luck”
while saying “Too Slow!”

What Luck We Have Living 
even when we fall down
see little ants
working hard on the ground.

What Luck We Have Living
as the dog licks our face
eating a sundae
and even (after)
		the ache.


What luck we have living says the young blue jay
hopping on grass
at the start of the day.
The leaves on the trees are starting to turn
yellow and gold, red rusted ferns.

What Luck We Have Living
	though sometimes there’s pain
When kid’s don’t say nice things
When the day is a drain.

When the water’s too cold
and there is green on your plate
when the smoke alarm buzzes
when you arrive too late.

What luck we have living 
even when we are down
when tears flow like oceans
when your mouth’s a big frown.
When you’re sick or so sad
when your body is hurt
when your head feels like earthquakes
when you just feel like dirt.

But What Luck We Have Living
the LUCK I say. 
‘Cuz a big shining heart does save the day
	‘Cuz kindness,
			a smile,
		to someone in need
a picking up pieces 
		of the world, indeed.

Take care of yourself
take care of your heart
be grateful and open
each day at the start,

and in the evening too
reflect and rejoice
another day came 
and gave you a voice.

Sing who you are
sing and say “Yay!”
What Luck We Have Living
on this day, 
                      Today.