A Kiss Goodbye

It was a different kind of dinner tonight. Each kid sort of ate at a different time. Sundays, or church days are usually like that. I had finished feeding the middle and the little and cleaned them up, when Joshy was ready. I fixed his plate and sat down with him to keep him company while he ate. It was quiet. George and Riley were busy with Jamie out front. Josh and I talked a bit, and then we sat quiet. I started thinking about how I really didn't want him to go away to kindergarten. I would keep him home with me for one more year and then when he was almost seven, he'd be ready to go off to school. My precious little boy, slurping spaghetti was still so small and sweet. I hadn't had a chance to land anywhere in my thinking, and for some reason, I asked Josh if he wanted me to read him a story while he ate. This was not typical. (Not the reading part, but reading at dinner) I grabbed the book, A Kiss Goodbye by Audrey Penn and began to read......Chester Raccoon sat in the corner of his tree hollow and frowned. "I'm not moving," he announced stubbornly. "I'm staying here. I want to stay with my tree, and stay with my friends, and stay where I've always lived."
Mrs. Raccoon patted Chester's worried, furrowed forehead. "I understand how you feel," she told him in an understanding, motherly voice, "but I'm afraid we all have to move."
"But I like it here," whined Chester. "It's my home."
" It's my home, too," said Mrs. Raccoon. "And I know how scary it is to move to a new place. But sometimes, like when you started school and changed classes, you have to do things that are scary and hard at first. I know- maybe you could think of moving as an adventure."
And then I landed. My heavenly father in Mrs. Raccoon's character, giving me an answer to the same question and doubt I've been struggling with for the last six months. The adventure will be how it all plays out. Are these thoughts convictions or gentle rebukes? I'm confused but stand so amazed. I had never read that book before, it was REALLY good.

Hello Spring

Sitting down and trying to recall which event occurred first is tough. Lots has happened since my last post. Our family finally got to visit the Eastern Shore. What an adorable little town. Cute homes dotting the marsh line, lots of open space that occasionally opens up into the ocean, and most importantly our dearest friends that now live there. Such a needed visit. A time to relax comfortably, watch our kids play and celebrate Sarah Elizabeth's 2nd year of life.

We weren't home two days when another visit was on the horizon. Grandpa came up to hang out with our family. Talk about a needed visit. The kids hadn't seen grandpa in awhile so they were so glad to get to know him again. Which came effortlessly on all parts. Particularly Riley. It dawned on me during grandpa's visit what a special connection the two of them have. I'm so blessed to witness how each of my children interact with their grandparents, and it was very obvious that Riley connected with her grandpa. He seemed to understand her. Or maybe he just hadn't had the opportunity to be tainted by how I describe her. He simply loved her. (All of her grandparents do) He spent his time reading to her in her room, pushing her on the swings, catching her and riding down the slide her, hugging her, laying on the floor with her, bathing her, eating with her, talking with her, kissing her, even changing her diapers. There were moments I was so thrilled for her and then so sad for her. Tears were certainly shed the day we had to say goodbye to grandpa. We are all looking forward to November when he comes to visit again.
At least we had another visit pending to look forward to. Aunt Lisa and the cousins arrived in Wilmington two days later. Her visits are always so amazing. We're sisters and best friends, and our kids adore each other. Kyra is almost 13 so she pretends not to have a good time, but she is so helpful in caring for her sister, playing with Joshy and George and going with the flow. We spent most of our time preparing food for the SIX kids and playing on the beach. The sun was warm and the water chilly. Just as it always is in April. Our food was grilled, the drinks cold and desserts plentiful. Four days is never long enough.
I cried of course on Saturday. The hardest of all. I think looking back it was because I realized that I love so many people that live so far away. I know that is life, but it stinks. Jamie as always anticipated the sadness, packed us all up, treated us to lunch on the river, a boat ride and some ice cream. It was a perfect way to say goodbye to our families (for now) and hello to spring.