She is full and hungry when she arrives.
And ready.
I didn't like that part, though. Ready made me wait.
But Ready made a heart grow impossibly fonder, love smothering complaint like snow blanketing barren ground.
I'm full and hungry, too.
Stories wait their turn to be emptied, peace offerings
to fill silence's void,
to quench curiosity,
to satisfy a need to know. A want to know? No…a need.
One after another spills, and we listen, captive, hostages to her next word. And the next. Tell us more I think, grateful for morsels and crumbs.
Light and laughter, shimmering halo, become her. Eyes smile. Lips dance. Voice sparkles. Life finds her rhythm in places unexpected.
Shadows lurk, too. Dark spots that bend perfection to reality. But she is wise beyond years to bow them to her service, to see the victory that lies within defeat. Silver linings.
I hold my breath. I snap mental pictures, begging them to last longer.
I'm a voyeur – I can't not watch them, sister and brothers. Do they sense my study? They have changed, all, and they see that in each other, but can they see it among themselves? Or is that show just for me, a consolation prize for the mother? I think it is, so I count it treasure found.
Full and hungry demand relief.
There is nothing more delicious than the taste of satisfaction.
* * *
Grateful to be inspired by Heather of the the extratraordinary ordinary; click to read a host of brilliant writers.
I always want to cry when you write about her. I don’t understand this. One day, I will be a person when my own daughter grows – I never knew my mom was when I left. We still learn.
They’ll hear it always and never understand how much we love them. Titus smiled at me yesterday and I’m not sure anything has made me happier. I almost exploded.
I love you and your beautiful family.
This is so lovely, Robin. I love the photo, too.
We gobble up those morsels and crumbs. For all their lives. I love this.
Kelly, your comment makes me think how badly I wish my “older” kids (when they’re 20s/30s) could have known me when I was that age. Does that make sense?
Amber!!! First baby smiles DO explode their mama’s heart! That makes ME smile :). Our children only BEGIN to understand when they have babies of their own. I guess that’s the Circle of Life….
Heather, thank you, friend. Your words, your initiative, and YOU, encourage me greatly and always. xo
I’m already experiencing this with my 7 year old when I ask him about school! He gets to choose what he shares, and sometimes I feel a bit left out. There was a time when I knew his every move. 🙂 Love your words here…
“I snap mental pictures, begging them to last longer.” <--I stay here. Wanting time to freeze, but still straining ahead to see what is to come. Also? I pray that my children will grow up to be as close as yours seem to be.
I just can’t stop marveling at her beauty and your amazing words and just all of it.
My heart warmed while reading.. I was right there last weekend.. with all three as they dumped and smiled and shone. The wonder of the changing of all of us. Such beauty. And such a blessing to be a part of it all. Love you so friend.