A Child's Love

Today, while i was at work, the phone rang and i answered it in my normal business tone.  i heard, in the background, "Ok, now say 'Hi Auntie'"  and a lovely little voice said just that.

It was the three year old niece.  she was phoning from my sister's house to tell me that she got a card for me (and one for Andrea and grandma and grandpa and great-grandma and Aunt Lynne and on and on).  It was so much fun to talk with her.  i asked her if she knew that Grandma and Grandpa (my folks) were coming down to see her all the way from Pennsylvania and she said "Yes.  Are you coming too?"

my heart about broke.  i can't go.  i'm staying here to care for the younger siblings so that my folks can go.  i wanted to say 'yes' i wanted to say that i'd be right down all the way to Florida just for her. 

But she seemed to understand and seemed happy that i was going to send some e-cards toher (she loved it) and then i got an email from her.  It said:

Dear Auntie:

i love you....that's all

love

(her full name)... 

 

i love you.  That's all.

That's all that needs to be said.  A child's sweet wonderful love.  That's all.

It filled my heart.

Dearest Emma,

i love you too.  You have brought our family so much joy.  You remind me so much of your daddy when he was a little boy but thankfully have alot of your mother's wonderful qualities.  i cannot imagine my life without your sweet face, those Irish blue eyes and those curls that bounce when you run.  i love that you are so girlie but aren't afraid to play in mud puddles or climb things.  You are so very smart and funny and say things that children twice your  age don't understand.

There is so much more to say but as you said.

i love you.  That's all.

Love,

Auntie

Did you just call me a Diva???

i've had an incredibly stressful but very productive week thus far.  The end is soon in sight and i find myself with a little bit of down time on Thursday night.  i was talking to my co-workers, who are having the same kind of week as i, that on Thursday night, i was going to take a bubble bath, get in between the sheets, with pillows piled behind me and page through the newest edition of Vogue (have you seen it?  it's huge!!!).

my one co-worker looked at me and said, "I don't know.  Sounds like a Diva to me!"

We all erupted into gales of laughter.  i don't think anyone has ever called me a Diva before...but on Thursday - i'm gonna be one!

 

giggles...

A Taste of Autumn

This morning, i woke early.  i woke because i was slightly cold - the sheet wrapped around me offered little cover for the 64F breeze that was blowing my curtains at almost gale force winds (i take a wee bit of literary freedom here)..but it was chilly.

i looked outside and saw the most brilliant blue skies and early bright sun that gives a prelude for a perfect day.  From what the weather man says, it's only going to be in the low 80's today, with low humidity.  Just like the most perfect October day. 

my cat, Moses, is running from the back of the house to the front - checking out the breeze and if he does a back flip in the dining room, i won't be surprised.  It's amazing to me how weather affects animals almost as much (or more so, if you're a dairy cow) as humans.

Anyway - today...have much to do- and can do it all with a spring in my step enjoying the weather instead of hiding from it.  i feel most alive on days like this.  Reminds of my favourite time of the year: Autumn.

(i'm almost in the mood to have some cider and bake a pumpkin pie...)

Homeward Bound

It's hot.  And humid.  And hazy.  The three "H's" of summer.  This summer has reminded me of summers of my childhood and to say i've enjoyed it, is an understatement.  Even these days where sleep doesn't come easily because these city houses just heat up - like an oven.  The cay-dids (as we've always called them) are singing their pulsing chorus and the thunderstorms are always just on the horizon.

The weekend was incredibly stressful for me - as will be this week.  And leaving work tonight, i felt the tension in my shoulders and a general 'down' feeling. 

So...i decided to be nice to myself and took the long way home.  Off the interstate - not hurling along at 70 mph, but rather around 45mph.  Winding roads through Nolde Forest with all the windows open and one arm completely extended out of the window.  If you've never driven through a forest when the humidity is high, then you won't understand when i say that the drive was an olfactory schmorgasboard.  Pine, decaying leaves, ferns, late blooming flowers, the stream - all contributed to the delights that wafted in the windows.

i immediately thought of home - my childhood home and of long summers spent as a camp counselor in upstate New York.  Freedom.  Had i known then, what i know now about enjoying the summer, i wouldn't do anything differently,except hold on to the memories a bit longer.