my morning thoughts
Yesterday we laughed and watched them
through the glass window,
jump and twist and bend,
their tiny little bodies in leotards
trying hard to master new things
and pay attention to something
other than each other's hair ribbons.
Then someone started talking about junior high
and we wondered about their futures,
when concerns are so much bigger than
sparkly shirts and toy hamsters.
It's not that far away.
Will it be easier to navigate with the boy
who is rarely concerned about what others think?
A quiet child who leans toward moody
and cries easily about one thing,
but tries so hard to hide his real feelings
about others?
Or will she fare better?
The one who discusses every detail with us
and asks the big questions far too early,
who sings and skips, then yells and slams a door?
The child who hunts out the action in order to plant herself
squarely in the middle of it all?
I know some of you could wrap these thoughts up clearly
and find something wise to say.
But all I can do this quiet morning is focus
on my bowl of granola and a long to-do list
of the little tasks that might add up to a good day for us
today,
and hope for the best.
Comments
I don't really know what I want to say about this post, but it touched so close to home, that I felt the need to respond. My husband and I have been having a great time watching our kids at swimming lessons, giggling at the awkwardness, yet overjoyed with their triumphs. Yet there have been alot of thoughts and ponderings lately, as my son nears middle school, things my husband thinks about, yet I push aside, and am not quite ready to discuss yet....why do they grow so fast?
Posted by: annette | April 28, 2010 10:27 AM
i think about this more than you can imagine. if only i had a crystal ball. xo.
Posted by: emily | April 28, 2010 12:35 PM
this is so, so good. thank you.
Posted by: molly | April 28, 2010 2:35 PM
this is so beautiful alicia. thank you. thoughts that enter my mind each day. xo
Posted by: tracy Bartley | April 28, 2010 2:49 PM
Good words today, Alicia.
How do these small boys of ours learn so young about concealing feelings? Each time I watch my youngest try to surpress his tears, my heart breaks a little bit.
Posted by: Ali | April 28, 2010 4:29 PM
I relate to this all, so very much. My oldest is 9 and it seems like those years are just around the corner. I'm doing my best to savor the last bits of this sort of simpler childhood while I can, and wondering what the next stage is going to be like.
Posted by: Christine at Origami Mommy | April 29, 2010 5:08 AM
thank you, alicia. so, so good. i don't know what lies in store for them or us...so i focus on all the little parts of now.
beautiful.
Posted by: tara thayer | May 1, 2010 1:12 PM
Hi Alicia,
As my now 11 year old daughter started dance lessons again this past fall, it occurred to me that I was now watching her throught the same window where I watched her dance when she was 5 years old. I thought of that when I read your post. The legs are longer and the dance moves more intricate, but I miss seeing the clumsy, often inattentive, pink clad little girls dancing around the room with their scarves. If only life would stay so simple! It makes me grateful for the opportunity to watch her grow and I just want to hold onto her even tighter!
Thanks for your post -
Laura in Naperville, IL
Posted by: Laura Thorne | May 2, 2010 5:10 PM