Letters to Hootoo - RÖCH, Digital Artist

Aquamarine
Rhys Ö. Coutu-Hurtt
Digital Painting
2012

Red Red Red
Rhys Ö. Coutu-Hurtt
Digital Painting
2012

Untitled
Rhys Ö. Coutu-Hurtt
Digital Painting
2012

Letters to Hootoo - Plans, the Sequel

I don't know what it is about this time of year that makes me conscious of the future. Yesterday I was reminded to make PLANS. You were sleeping in the car on the way home from some errands and I wanted to extend the drive to maximize nap time. It was just the two of us on a beautiful, crisp fall afternoon, Pink Moon playing softly on Spotify as you breathed deeply in your carseat.

My mistake was driving through a cemetery. I thought of all the people I had known, or known of, that had passed away within the past year. Oma, El, Gary, DJ, Lynn. Real people. People with families; with partners and sons or daughters.

The crisp fall afternoon faded away and the music became inaudible behind my thoughts. My thoughts made me panic; as though I was facing my mortality in that moment -- and in that moment, I was. I couldn't shake the dread that one day, it will all end. There are no guarantees that I will live a long life, and of course the day will come when I'm no longer here, in body, with you.

So we'll take each day at a time. Each day I will tell you I love you and kiss you all over your cute face. I will try not to worry or stress about the little things. We'll have dance parties, eat fruit, get dirty, love our friends, love God, work hard, snuggle, talk, and plan to do it all over again.

Life can be cruel, but life can be sweet. Like now. Neil Diamond is crooning from the kitchen. Annie is teasing Adam about his moustache. Dad is snacking and talking about the history of the song.

I choose to believe that I'll live until I'm an old woman. One that was successful, impactful, happy, a mother of many children. Part of my self will live on in you, and in the memories we will form together. You have already made me proud.

Letters to Hootoo - Just Can't Get Enough

You're ridiculous. You have become so vocal. Cooing, practicing words, letting out little roars with clenched fists. It's all very entertaining, until the day where the latter won't be so entertaining. Then we'll SHUT IT DOWN. But for now, roar on, little Hootoo, roar on.

You can sit independently now, and teased us last week with some crawling action. You have big smiles and conversations for the people you know, and have started complementing shyness with big stares for those you don't. You are digging food. Avocado, sweet potato, broccoli, bananas and apples are your victims (strawberries, not so much). Maggie is still your best friend, now with a stuffed frog that 'ribbits'. You FaceTime with Amma and Afi once a week. We celebrated Halloween at Sesame Street Live, and are now planning for your first American Thanksgiving. Life is hurried but thankfully, sweet. Just like you.

Love,
Yo Mama
xo