A Dream, a Day, and 7 Years

By Yvette Norman

If you, or someone you know, has ever been a parent, or is preparing to
someday become a parent, this book will give you insight into one new
moms private thoughts and feelings regarding motherhood. A Dream, A
Day, and Seven Years will take you on the incredible journey of being a fi rst
time parent, and will also take you back to that refreshing feeling of looking
at life through the eyes of a child. After all, one of the greatest gifts that we,
as parents, can possibly give our children, is the gift of remembering.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Oct 22, 2010
• ISBN: 9781452092010

Yvette Norman

Yvette Norman categorizes herself as a “hobby writer.” “A Dream, A Day, and Seven Years” is her fi rst book as a published author. With encouragement from friends and family, it began as a legacy to leave behind for her young son, Lennon. She now hopes to touch the world with the emotional and comic details of her everyday journey as “Lennon’s Mom.” Yvette lives in Pasadena, Maryland with her husband, son, and cat, and cherishes each moment she gets to spend with them.

Book preview

Contents

Acknowledgments

A Note To The Reader

Introductions

In The Beginning

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

Chapter Five

Chapter Six

Chapter Seven

Acknowledgments

For those of you who have chosen to read my book, let me begin by saying Thank you. For many years now, I’ve wanted to write a book, and only now has it finally come to fruition. I really had no idea how grateful I would be for the (recent) loss of my job, until some family and friends encouraged me to finally put this thing together. As they say, things happen for a reason.

So, again, Thank you.

Thank you God, the United States of America, and to all those who have fought to keep our freedom, giving me the opportunity to make this possible.

Thanks to my Mom, Mimi Biller. You are an inspiration, and my biggest fan. I love you. My mother-in-law, Sandra Norman, who encouraged me to save these updates. My sister, Irene Muneses, who dreamed with me as a child. For all my family and friends who supported me and listened to me brag about my son, and gave me the feedback I needed to give me courage to take on this endeavor.

Thanks to those who I’ve loved and lost. You all have made me who I am today, just by being a part of my life, and each one of you holds a place in my heart for eternity. Vernon, you were the father you didn’t have to be, and you believed in me when no one else did. Nana (Anna Jacobson), the most honest and amazing woman I’ve ever known – I just know you were with me that day – you make miracles happen. Pop-Pop (Albert Jacobson), oh, how I wish I had more time with you. Thanks for that last memory you came to give me, the one that allowed me to keep my childhood from ending when you left this earth– I treasure that always. My baby Garth, a cat like no other – with more personality than most people I’ve ever known. The love you filled my heart and our home with, allowed me to realize how much I needed to be a mother. My biological father Maynard Robinson- I found peace with you at your funeral, when I finally learned that you really tried to love me – just as I tried to love you, yet never could. And last, but certainly not least, my great Uncle Ed, (Nana’s brother, Edward Coppel), for never ratting me out when I dabbled in some mischief as a child. I miss you all terribly.

Thanks to Liz Trochimowicz, and Ruthellen Sheldon, for proofing my original manuscript, and for offering your expertise and advice, as both readers, and as Moms.

Thank you, Dr. Nelson Hendler, my miracle doctor, for your expertise, support, and diagnosis; and to Dr. Reginald Davis, who performed my surgery, allowing my dream of carrying a child to become a reality.

Thanks to all the people who will take the time to read my book. All the authors who pursued their dreams, so that your work could inspire me. If I haven’t thanked you personally, you know who you are, so consider yourself thanked. I have forgotten absolutely NO ONE. You all have made a difference in my life.

Thank you, my wonderful husband (David Norman), who has been the constant in my life. You are the truest and most devoted husband, and best friend I’ve ever had. You’ve forgiven me when I’ve needed forgiveness. Each dream I’ve ever had, you have made come true. You have supported me throughout each endeavor and stepping stone, leading me to the place I am right now. The most amazing place on earth. (Barnum and Bailey, eat your hearts out) – for I am, and always will be, Lennon’s Mom.

A Note To The Reader

Let me introduce myself. I am Lennon’s Mom. That’s who I’ve been for seven years, and I’m perfectly content with that for my moniker. So, for the sake of this book, and it’s purpose, you will know me as Lennon’s Mom.

I would also like to clear up in advance, any confusion regarding the format of this book. Much of the information which follows, was originally written in journal form, therefore, I was writing directly to Lennon. Then as he got older, I created Updates, which are directed towards the audience (friends and family I sent them to). So, please keep this in mind as you read, so that you will understand more clearly, that I have tried to put all the information together, the best way possible, with the hope that you, the audience, will get the most enjoyment out of my book.

Introductions

Please allow me to give you a very brief synopsis on some of the people mentioned in my book, so that you will have a better background of who these people are, and what they mean to Lennon.

Mommy is: Lennon’s mother, often referred to as Lennon’s Mom, Mommy, and sometimes, just Me or I.

Daddy is: D in the early stages, and then becomes Daddy. His given name is David, and quite often, he goes by Dave. He is a very attentive husband and father, who provides for his family, and dotes on his children, to a fault. There is no doubt, that Daddy is Lennon’s biggest hero, fishing buddy, fix-it companion, the best player of cars and trucks, and the most skilled Lego builder in the entire world.

Kyle is: Lennon’s half brother, whom we refer to as his brother. Lennon loves it when Kyle is around, to show off his cool toys and creations to, yet doesn’t have to share with him like he has to with his friends. He absolutely loves it when Kyle plays with him, wrestles with him, and on the rare occasion when he gives him a bath.

Wiggins is: Lennon’s cat, whom he wildly adores. He picked him out for his 5th birthday, and bonded with him shortly after. More like a person, Wiggins has quite a personality, and thrives on the attention Lennon gives him. Lennon plays with him, talks to him, carries him around and talks about him to the kids in school. When I have gone into his class, his classmates ask me, Does Lennon’s cat really ride a motorcycle? Or Does Mr. Wiggins really talk Spanish? So, in short, I’d say Lennon is quite proud of his Mr. Wiggins.

Mom-Mom is: Lennon’s maternal grandmother, whom he loves spending time with, asking her about when she was little, and working on art projects. He especially enjoys spending the night with her, and staying up late playing word games and laughing with her. Oh, and the fact that Mom-Mom has an endless supply of M&M’s and Oreos is a definite plus on her part as well.

Grandma is: Lennon’s paternal grandmother, who lives in Florida. They enjoy a long distance relationship, and see each other twice a year: July 4th in Ohio, and Thanksgiving in Ohio. He gets a kick out of having Grandma try to grab him as he runs past the living room chair, and when she gets a hold of him, she tickles him until he giggles.

Aunt Irene is: Lennon’s Aunt (My sister) who lives in Illinois with her husband Marlon, and 3 children; Matthew, Michael and Mitchell. He usually gets to see them 1 to 2 times a year, and looks forward to going to the pool, and spending family time together when they are in town.

Granpa Jim is: Lennon’s paternal great-grandfather, who lives in Ohio, and whom he sees only 2 times a year, but the time spent is memorable. It is on Granpa Jim’s farm, that Lennon sees life as Daddy got to experience it in his youth. Shooting rifles, driving the Big tractors, seeing wild turkey, deer and other wildlife, as they ride Granpa’s golf cart through the fields, and searching for treasures in the stream.

Zakkai is: (Zi) Lennon’s closest and best friend in the world; in fact, they refer to themselves as brothers. Zakkais parents, Gigi and David, whom Lennon calls Aunt Gigi and Uncle David, are like family, and the children have known each other since the day Lennon was born. They alternate sleepovers regularly, and playdates are filled with love, laughter, and loads of fun.

Kiara is: Lennon’s first little girlfriend, who now lives in Michigan, with her parents, Shannon and Greg. They have since, added to their brood with 3 siblings for Kiara. Lennon and Kiara spent nearly every day together since before Lennon began walking, and shared many milestones together. Although they rarely speak, or see each other since she moved away, there’s a special place in his heart for her still.

Nana and Pop-Pop were: Lennon’s maternal great-grandparents. Pop-Pop (Albert Jacobson) passed away in 1978, and Nana (Anna Gertrude Jacobson) in 1999 – and although Lennon never had the pleasure of meeting them during their days on earth, I believe that they both come to visit and enjoy seeing their youngest grandson. Lennon’s first Hebrew name (Chanina) is after Nana.

Granpa Vern was: Lennon’s maternal grandfather (my stepfather), who passed away over a year ago. Lennon remembers fishing with his Granpa, and that he was a pro at building things, and has more tools and fishing lures than anyone else he knows. He brags about how his Granpa Vern could build the biggest building in the world.

Granpa Paul was: Lennon’s paternal grandfather, who passed away in 1994. Lennon got both his middle name (Paul) and 2nd Hebrew name (Pinchus) from his Granpa Paul.

Lennon’s Pop-Pop was: My biological father (Maynard J. Robinson), whom I tried to form a bond with, mostly for the sake of Lennon. Prior to that, we shared an estranged on and off relationship throughout the years, and although Lennon saw him on a handful of occasions, he really doesn’t have any memories of his Pop-Pop.

Garth was: Our family pet until Lennon was 2 ½ years old, when we had to put him to rest, due to kidney disease. He was my heart of hearts, and I am grateful that Lennon got to enjoy his love, if only for a very short time.

As mentioned above, these are only some of the people who have made a difference in Lennon’s life. If your name is not here, it does not diminish your value or importance; I simply cannot list all the names of people who have played a major part in Lennon’s world, but know that if you have crossed his path, you have indeed made a difference.

In The Beginning

Going back a few years, to a time way before Lennon existed. A time when I asked my own Mom, Mommy, what was the world like when you were young and the world was black and white?

I thought I knew it all. I actually did know it all.

I knew how to eat an oreo cookie with the precision that comes from being a young child and from eating many a package of cookies in place of a solid meal. (More on Oreos later).

I knew how to take apart a black and white RCA television, and I knew what to do when the big boom erupted (when I plugged it into the wall after my repair job), leaving the entire house without electricity, and I had to rescue Mom from the bathtub, as she struggled to get out of the bathroom in pitch blackness to find out Just what in the hell happened, young lady?

I knew all the words to John Jacob Jingleheimer Schmidt, had just learned how to ride a bicycle without training wheels, and I knew that more than anything else, I wanted a Harley Davidson motorcycle to call my own. My Harley arrived on my 5th birthday, and turned out to be a blue, plastic, rechargeable motorcycle, no bigger than a sit-n-spin. I don’t think I’ve had a more disappointing birthday.

I knew how to throw a softball. I also had to save my allowance money for a month to help pay for the glass in my neighbors garage door window.

I knew how to dress myself (hippie shirt, with diamond printed hip-hugger bellbottoms,saddle shoes and fringe vests). Yes, born in 1966, I was a victim of the styles that predominated the late 1960’s – early 1970’s era.

I knew that it wasn’t safe to cross the street without watching both ways first. Unfortunately, that didn’t stop me (as well as my sister) from getting hit by a car while reading the sign on back