We piled six bikes
onto the back of her truck...
her bike
my bike
her son's bike
my son's bike
her daughter's bike
my daughter's bike
Since our hubbies had to work
(and school was closed)
it didn't take a mathematician
to figure out that...
bikes + kids + holiday
(in Southern CA)
= the perfect beach day
She came to pick us up, and once all of our bikes
were strategically placed onto the back of her truck
we climbed in...
my daughter
her daughter
her son
my son
me
her
and we set out for another
family field trip adventure...
Once at the beach
we found parking
unloaded the bikes and
took off
until the children noticed
a sand dune inviting them to...
veer off the trail
hop off of their bikes and
run across the sandy slopes to explore
She and I stayed back to chat, but when we
looked up a moment later, our boys were gone
"Where are your brothers?"
we shouted over to the girls
as they pointed down the other
side of the hill toward the ocean
Well it doesn't take a mathematician
to figure out that...
two boys + sand + water
= a muddy mess
"Tell the boys to come back up"
and with that
the girls also disappeared
And for a moment...
in the silence...
we wondered
we watched
we waited
with only remnants
of childhood still visible
a deserted bike
an empty hill
Until one...
two...
three...
four...
children were back on the hill
(and in that moment)
I realized that motherhood is about...
allowing your children the freedom to explore
the other side of the hill
the ocean side of the hill
without you
and it can be scary
not being able to
see them
reach them
touch them
and knowing there is a great big ocean
ready to swallow them whole
(just as would life itself)
but you
remind yourself
as you stand
watching the hill in faith
because
you also know
that they know
that the only way home
is on this side of the hill
That was very touching, and true as my "little one" is now legally an adult, but still mommy's baby. Still in California, but feels like she's on the other side of the globe. I can't touch her, check to see if she's covered at night, or drive her around. I have to trust that I have raised her well,and she's mature enough to handle this ole' world. Good Post Tondra!
ReplyDeleteBut you can find comfort and confidence in knowing that SHE knows!
Delete