It occurred to me this morning as the kids where getting ready to leave for school, that my whole life has led up to this point; its summation residing in the two smiles before me.
Mary Rose, her shiny red hair braided down her back, ran full force, into Nic’s arms, tackling him with her joy. “What’s this for?” he asked smiling, though I am sure he already knew. Mary Rose has never needed any excuse to be happy; but this morning seemed especially brilliant, because she had just noticed her yellow roses blooming in the yard. After close inspection, she came running inside with the declaration, whose enthusiastic pronouncement rivaled that of the winning lottery ticket.
She turned happily in Nic’s lap, then stuck her little finger in the miniature rose plant on the table (the only one NOT blooming, thanks to me). She found it dry of course and jumped down, then ran off excitedly to get water for it.
Lilly was putting on her socks at the table and I caught her eye for a second while we shared the same crooked, wry smile of amusement at her sisters enthusiasm. I wondered then if she was ever really young, but I already knew the answer. She is sophistication to Mary Rose’s innocence, cynicism to her joy, bravery and confidence to caution and timidity. In essence, they are two opposite halves to my whole, possessing nothing, that I can see, that is not Nic and I thrown in a bowl and mixed together. Yet each encompassing so much more than we contain individually. They are us remastered. If I died today, I would still exist because of them.
How truely and wonderously amazing.....