As I walk up to my bedroom each evening, I am greeted by these:
And I always stop and look at each one. Always. Every night.
Because I don't want to forget.
It's probably as a result of some unresolved childhood trauma (that whole Fleeing-the-Communist-Homeland thing, but that's not important right now.)
I remember that she liked for me to hold her hand tightly, Even when she knew how to walk, she still kept tight hold on my hand for security. She just wanted to be sure of me.
He was a big ole galoot. I used to call him that. He was large and extraordinarily strong as a toddler. And yet, he always wanted to be held, so of course, I held him. There was never a moment's hesitation on my part. I laugh to myself when I notice that he wears out his shoes in the very same places – that big crease in the toe box.
She was always the creative, independent one. She made her point by holding only one finger of mine. She didn't need me that much, but she needed me "some."
Here's my dragger/crawler/walker. He was just adorable. But he always did things unconventionally. The end of the toe is scuffed because he dragged that foot around. It was his way.
I force myself to enjoy this ritual every night. To stop and to remember. And to muse about how much they've changed and how much they've stayed the same. I think it's a good thing.
It's good to remember. And it gives me cause to pray for their futures.
Life was hard and now I have these amazing people in it. I will not ever take the blessings in my life for granted.
I sometimes wonder if their lives have been well served by my own. To rephrase: Can these four survive being raised by a loony, over-protective, party-throwing, blogger of a meanest-mom-in-the-whole-wide-world? Yes, but can they THRIVE?
Then I look at those shoes in the shadow boxes and I think: we've come so far. Surely we've got what it takes if we just keep moving forward.
That's it. Move forward. Baby steps. 😉
"Little Wonders"
Let it go,
Let it roll right off your shoulder
Don't you know
The hardest part is over
Let it in,
Let your clarity define you
In the end
We will only just remember how it feels
Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain
Let it slide,
Let your troubles fall behind you
Let it shine
Until you feel it all around you
And i don't mind
If it's me you need to turn to
We'll get by,
It's the heart that really matters in the end
Our lives are made
In these small hours
These little wonders,
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away,
But these small hours,
These small hours still remain
All of my regret
Will wash away some how
But i can not forget
The way i feel right now
In these small hours
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away but these small hours
These small hours, still remain,
Still remain
These little wonders
These twists & turns of fate
Time falls away
But these small hours
These little wonders still remain
~ Rob Thomas
Where, oh where, are those Kleenex???
What beautiful stories you write. I look forward every day to reading a new tidbit. Being an over-protective mother of 2 semi-adult children myself, I know exactly how you feel. Again, thanks for sharing. 🙂
Wonderful post honey. Let’s keep moving forward.:)
Me.
It’s because of posts like this that I come to read your blog everyday, it’s why I HAD to meet you at CN and why I squeezed you so tight when I hugged you. Thanks Marta for reminding me everyday how lucky we are, for everything.xoxoxo
Mica from Miami
Your love for your children is shown in the details of your creativity.Thank you for encouraging me to be a preserver of the most special moments God has trusted me with.
Suzy -I forgot to welcome you the last time you commented (I think it was my birthday and I was a little overwhelmed, but that’s not important right now.), so WELCOME!
Mica –
Thank you. It was my pleasure to meet you and I felt an instant connection. I wish you were closer – we’d be great friends.
Ody –
You’re such an encouragement to ME. Gracias.
Besos,
Marta
Wahhhh, I love that. Those are beautiful, your words are beautiful. and, now I know what I am going to do with Maria’s well-worn little shoes!
I’ve been lurking for a long while now and had to finally comment on those gorgeous memory boxes! I am a Cuban-American mommy to an almost 1 year old and I know how quickly time flies. I try to hold every breath and second dear. I’ve been brainstorming some fun keepsake crafts to mark her first wonderful year of life and now I’m going to add these to my list! I love your blog and it always warms my heart because it reminds me so much of home.
Beautiful story of amazing memory boxes. My son’s first shoes were bronzed and I still have them and use them as light bookends on one of our book cabinets. The scuffs and scratches are visible and this is what makes them even more precious. Thank you, Marta, for your words.
Break out the Kleenex,indeed!Amen to everything you said about remembering the kids as babies,and wondering/praying for their futures. I think your kids are well on their way to very bright futures!