The World According to Ammie and Tristy
Angelic reflections of my daughters
by
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New Dog “Mommy, I want a new dog,” My little girl announced. “No more dogs in this house,” I emphatically pronounced. “What kind of dog do you want?” I felt I should at least ask. “I’ll tell you exactly how he should be,” My daughter was up to the task. “He should be gray and hairless, With one blue and one brown eye. He should be little and fast, And never make children cry.” “But, honey, that sounds just like your dog – Why are you trying to tease?” “I’m not, mom, I really want a new dog like mine. Just like him, except without the fleas!” What’s Your Favorite Color? “What’s your favorite color?” “I think I’d have to say green.” “No, not any color – For people’s what I mean.” “I don’t know, I like them all.” (I didn’t really know what to say.) Oh no, did I say something wrong? My little girl turned and walked away. She came back a little bit later, With a paper in her hand. On it, she’d drawn a person, The most beautiful in the land. She had golden hair, bright as the sun, And dark brown, shiny skin. And eyes so green you’d swear, There was a plant growing from within. Like a pretty Indian maiden, The girl was dressed in leather. On her feet were beaded moccasins, On the back of her head, a feather. “Where’s she from? – I’m curious,” I asked for what it’s worth. My daughter smiled and answered me, “She comes from my home – earth.” Baby Jesus “I found baby Jesus!” my little toddler cried, I ran to her and looked down in the snow. She pointed to a tiny green shoot, growing up through the ice – Leave it to a little child to know. Do I Have to Grow Up? “Mommy, do I have to grow up?” What a question for a little girl to have – In time, it’ll be fun – you’ll see, I said. “But I’d rather stay the way that I am.” Why don’t you want to grow up? God has a great life for you to unfold. “I don’t want to grow up, mommy, ‘Cause I never want you to get old.” Red Light, Green Light, Yellow The red light means stop, The green light means go, But I wasn’t too sure about yellow. So I carefully watched my dad at the wheel, And found it means, “GO FASTER, FELLOW!”
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About the Book
Experience the world through the eyes of children! Go back to a time of angelic innocence, delighting in the uncensored first words and ideas of “Ammie” and “Tristy.” Journaled nightly by their mom from the time they began to speak until they reached about the age of seven, she later turned their reflections into poems. Their amusing (and often surprising) words offer unique explanations, unexpected questions, provocative opinions, creative solutions, and loving emotions—addressing a host of topics of special interest to little ones, including the difference between outer space and heaven, the true identity of Santa Claus, how to prevent child abduction and alcoholism, why girls know best and spiders make great pets, and how much they love their mother, grandparents—and their dog! Taken as a collection, The World According to Ammie and Tristy: Angelic reflections of my daughters provides a humorous, inspirational, and insightful look at the world of children, with implications for early childhood education, socialization, and parenting. Enjoy the journey!
About the Author
Psychologist, writer, teacher, and real estate professional, Dr. Mary Ruggiero (BA, MA, teaching credential, California State University, Fullerton; Ph.D., University of California, Irvine) is a single mother who thanks God each and every day for having been blessed with the best parents and with the best children in the world! A proud “child of the 1960’s,” she loves flowers, animals, art, music, theater, and helping others. Although a lifelong resident of the “OC,” she aspires one day to call the “big city” her home.