sometimes, i do it for her.
the backyard tea parties where we get lost under shady trees with tiny cups–real cups–and graham crackers and peaches.
the moments where we stop everything and just be.
the little slivers in a universe of time where nothing else matters but what’s going on in her little mind…and i am stilled by the realization that she is ours and that she is wonderful.
the opportunities where i am not her teacher, but rather she is mine.
…sometimes, i do it for her.
but many times, like today, i did it for me.
because when i am lost or overwhelmed or sinking into that place where i forget what really matters, she brings me back.
to childhood.
and somewhere, inside every one of us, there is childhood.
where imagination blooms. and free spirit soars. and time is non-existent.
where bare feet run on prickly grass and skirts swish and sway in the afternoon light.
where we are never too old to somersault. or smile with all our teeth. where knees are skinned from rough afternoon play and hair is thoughtlessly tousled into a heap of a happy mess.
today, she took me to childhood again.
and i think it is my favorite place.
and, while i have no photos of my somersault, i did one. a nice pregnant version of one, of course, but it was beautiful.
today, pretend tea tasted even better than real tea. and the music of her giggle was perhaps the sweetest sound. and, as the sun went down, and our ‘tea’ slowly dwindled, i began to pick up the mess.
and then, completely umpromted, she sweetly said…
thank you, mama.
except i should be thanking her.
loving my little and what she makes me every day.
better.
and to childhood. a very happy place. look what it did for peter pan.
~k
Smiles. Thanks.
I think childhood is a chamber in the heart. Some have sealed its door. Some have left it propped open with an old teddy bear or lingering lullaby. We should visit it again…but the entrance is narrow and we must shed all pretense and false ambition to make it in…but such things won’t be missed when we sip pretend tea or roll in the grass. The world will be better when we step back into it again. I am glad you had a tea party. I am glad you let a two-year-old teach you. Learn the lessons well. Love in the night to you.
beautiful photos. lainey is such a little sweetheart.
those eyes!!! latte having tea cracks me up!
Aw, so sweet! I love the pics of her holding up her cup to her stuffed animals and to the dog. So nice to share her tea! 🙂
Oh lord, the somersault series…can’t stop grinning, definetley one of my favorites.
This comment has been removed by the author.
love it. Thank you mama. What a little peach.
unprompted thank yous are the best … aren’t they?
someone this morning just mentioned that i need to do more … for me. and it’s funny … i think they thought that a day at the spa or dinner out by myself would top my list. but it’s days like yours that are at the tippity-top. especially now that i’m feeling so … overwhelmed with my final months of just me and my girls.
i think a tea party is in order friday afternoon.
it’s such a sweet post! but, the whole somersault thing is something I haven’t been able to do without serious vertigo ever since being pregnant! I was playing around with the kids and got swept away into the whole beauty of the “childhood” moment……only after my somersault, it was like. “whoa.. hold on there….where am i?!!!” I’m so glad yours was a beautiful one!
I love those days when we down deep do something with our girls for them but it’s really for us.