As Robert Frost penned, no day on the coast is ever the same. One day has a high sand bar and the next does not. One day has a lot of seaweed and the next is completely clear. Today's sand castle is gone tomorrow, or at least by next week. Yesterday's shark sighting is replaced by today's stingray. Yesterday's shell expedition is replaced with today's crab hunting. Today's footprints will change the sand for tomorrow. First, savor the good day, because you will not get this day back, and hold on when it is a bad day, because change is coming. Second, we choose what kind of footprints we leave on other's lives, so let us choose wisely today.
Moms do not get a vacation. Best job in the world but never a day off. Kids still have to be fed and dressed, have boo-boos to be kissed and rashes to treat. They still have to be reminded not to run around the pool or watch that they do not jump on their brother. Kids still need help choosing wisely from the menu and to know that the fro-yo place is a cafeteria, not a buffet. They need to be reminded to carry their hat to the beach, jackets to restaurants, and make up beds so they do not get sand in them. Thankful for the recent empty nester mom on the lounge chair next to us that reminded me how soon the time will pass. In twenty years, I can stay on the beach and read as long as I want, but for now, I will go to the pool instead if that is what all the kids want to do.
Speaking of kids, I have the best ever! I know I am biased, and I am ok with that. Without William, I would live a life of ignorance. He retains everything he reads and learns. Though I wanted to believe it was a dolphin passing in front of our condo, he explained why it had to be a shark instead. Though I knew I spotted a ray, he was able to tell me that it was a stingray. Though it was me that caught three blue crabs, he was able to tell which was oldest based on the barnacles on its shell and which was a female based on the shape of the shell. He constantly has information to share, not as a know it all but just informative. He also makes friends so easily. He learned how to skim on the waves a little from an older teenager with whom he made friends and got a YouTube to follow from a girl he started talking to on the beach. He is awesome!
Without Mariama, my life would be boring. She adds flair to everything! While I sometimes have to ask her to put the drama on pause, the world really is her stage, as Shakespeare said. When she is waiting for everyone, she pretends she is skyping with friends. She picked out a lovely scarf last week and learned to tie and wear it as a cover up, much more flowy than the shorts I had for her. She does not just eat a snack, she savors every morsel. She does not just play in the pool, but rather makes it into a dinner and a show. She does not just build a castle in the sand, but she builds a sand cake and serves it up. She does not always mean to be bossy when she is telling whose turn it is to press the elevator button, but rather she wants everyone to get a turn and not feel left out. When she wants to ask the waiter or waitress a question about the meal, it is not to show disrespect to the adults with whom she is eating but simply her growing up. The manager at Ward's was impressed with how she handled herself. She fills my life with fun!
Without Lydia-Ann, I would feel old. She still loves to cuddle when she wakes up and is just generally sweet. She has a joy of life that makes anything fun and an independent spirit that makes her fine with or without playmates. She also is super smart, already learning her math facts. Four has been my favorite age across the board for all of them, however, their personalities were only really beginning then. I was sad when she turned five, that I will not have a four year old again. Now seeing how fun and interesting the other two are, I look forward to seeing who she turns out to be. She makes me feel young!
I have lots of mommy fails and miss things in my children's lives, but I hope I never fail to appreciate the uniqueness of each.
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