On Friday Sarah was upset when she came home from school, as she usually is on a Friday, because she would have to wait until Monday to see her beloved bus driver. After her initial upset she went off to her room. When she came back downstairs she was carrying a construction paper card that she made with scissors and glue. She informed me it was a Mother’s Day card. . . for her bus driver! I’m sure he will be delighted! I say that in gest, and yet…he will be. Many people who are not mothers extend a nurturing energy towards others that is meaningful and deserves to be recognized. The bus driver certainly fills a meaningful, nurturing role in Sarah’s life so I couldn’t begrudge him the card even as I wondered if she had made one for me.
This morning, after enjoying a fancy coffee and a chocolate croissant that Carl brought to me while I worked on the Spelling Bee game, I came downstairs to a pile of cards and presents. Sarah had in fact made a card for me too, and it is heart-melting. Under where she wrote “Happy Mother’s Day” there is an indistinct drawing that Carl informed me was her attempt at drawing my lips. Inside the card she wrote, “I love your kissis.” Carl said that was all her idea; all he had done was ask her what she loved about me. Amy made a beautiful heart drawing with smaller pictures that represent me and our connections, such as the dresses I have passed along to her, snuggling our cat, the bread I make, and a tiny picture of my book. I feel seen and loved.
Earlier in the week, Sarah and I had a relaxed walk to her eye doctor because she felt like her glasses needed to be tightened. She initiated our walk, and when we arrived she walked up to the desk and told the people what she wanted. I said nothing. I was merely her companion on this journey, making sure she crossed streets safely, but she did the whole thing herself.
On Tuesday night Carl and I went to a Decemberists concert. We saw many people we knew from different parts of our lives and were glad to have our ear plugs since it was loud. Although I tired of standing for 4 hours, it was a good concert. In preparation for this concert we had listened to the Decemberists’ latest album and were surprised that it was comprised of two normal-length songs and one 20 minute song. I never listened to the 20 minute one all the way through. I just didn’t enjoy it and couldn’t stick with it. When the group came back onstage for their encore they said, “We have one more song for you.” I turned to Carl and said, “As long as it’s not Joan in the Garden.” Cue Joan in the Garden. I didn’t enjoy it and would have left early except that we wanted to see some friends we knew were in attendance but hadn’t yet seen. Aside from that, it really was a fun night.
Last night was a double concert extravaganza with Carl going to a They Might Be Giants concert, while the girls and I stayed home with Amy’s bestie and livestreamed a concert by Bandits on the Run. Sarah promptly got her own guitar and strummed and sang along. In the picture I took you can barely see Sarah because the room was dark, but you can see her white guitar strap around her back as she faces the Bandits. Long ago when Adrian volunteered in the Sarah-Rise program he would bring his guitar to his sessions. Somehow Sarah getting her own guitar to play along with him seems to bring everything full circle.
Topping off our week, we have seen a baby bunny in our backyard! It is soooooo cute. Amy and I have been beside ourselves.
Lots of love and kisses to you all.
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