I have to admit to mixed feelings this morning as I took BOTH my little ones to our local neighborhood elementary school. Half of me is internally jumping for joy at the extra time I'm going to have to myself; the peace and quiet! The other half of me feels I have closed a chapter of my life - a chapter I *loved*, and am not sure I'm ready to close yet.
My feelings aside, the kids were excited, especially Ella, who couldn't sleep last night as if she were anxiously awaiting a visit from Santa Claus himself. (Despite the way she looks in the picture.) They both had a good first day, and are looking forward to their second day, so I claim that a success.
I have a memory*.
I'm walking on a beach, barefoot, in the dark. I'm holding hands with my sweetheart. Walking and talking. Mostly just walking.
The cold water laps at our feet. The sand wriggles out from under me each time the water retreats. My feet feel gritty. There is a warm breeze gently blowing my hair in my face, so that I'm forever brushing it back, trying to tuck it behind my ears.
His hand is gentle, and strong. His voice is comforting. I can't remember the words.
He turns and holds me in his arms, and I feel safe - more safe than I ever have. And home. I feel home.
(*Oh. Funny thing. This never happened. It just hit me, came rushing at me from nowhere. But I really don't think it ever happened. Maybe someday...)
We recently got back in touch with some dear friends of ours, and in doing so I got to see this picture of my daughter, taken at their son's birthday party several years ago. (I believe Ella is 2 here.) Look at how little she is! And those curls! But my favorite part of this picture is what our good friend said about it when he showed it to me.
"Christine...after we took these set of pics from Bastian's birthday...we saw those stars floating around Gabriella's head... She is protected by angels!!!"
Thank you Alejandro! I love the picture!
So *all summer* I've been meaning to participate in Carmi's thematic photo of the week over at Written Inc. (Okay, so I've been a little busy.)
This week's theme is "colorful". I'm venturing off the path of obvious here with this one. (Plus I really don't think I'm showing a balanced "picture" of my kids here at Mommy Matters without posting one of these - they do this sort of thing all too often.)
(While stopped behind a big truck while traveling through some road construction)
"What smells like big buiness?!"
"Look what we made! It's the star strangled banner!"
(This sounds scripted - right out of a corny TV show. But we really did have this conversation.)
Alex: "Why are you already married?"
Me: "Because I fell in love with Daddy and so we got married."
Alex: "But I wanted to marry you!"
Me: "Awww, that is the sweetest thing I've ever heard! But when you grow up you'll change your mind."
Alex: "I don't ever want to get married, so I can live here with you forever!"
