The week floods with memories. And they run past like surging waters.
They rush so quickly, and I reach in and grab what I can.
And so I will not forget Wednesday evening because I’m holding it again. Looking her straight in those eyes like mine and reminding her the truth: you are not too much and we love you and this is what family is for and you are not broken.
I remember the shimmer in her eyes. The shimmer that runs straight through a girl when she realizes again that she is really loved and it’s not for anything she does but because of who she is.
I remember walking into the coffee shop and spying her and knowing right away it was her — the one I’ve gotten to know through these online pages, and I held camellias in a jar. They were beautiful and open, just like she is, and she studied the petals like I would have and gave me a huge squeeze with those arms warmed by the gas fireplace.
I remember the pride on J’s face when she showed me her spelling test and that smile when her weekly writing came together, and we got to illustrate, accenting with bright pieces of tissue paper her drawing of the puppy who ate spring flowers. And even though her sisters played outside, J didn’t mind because this is fun, too, Mama.
I remember my papa playing Wii, heading the virtual soccer ball like the young athlete he was and us all laughing at those mini-me penguins dropping off icebergs.
I remember the way Lala caught surprise hail on the playground, running crazy circles with her tongue thrust out as far as she could stretch it. Six, Mama. I caught six. Yummy!
Things I want to remember fall like baby hail stones, and I stretch to catch and taste them, and they are so delicious.
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I’m joining up again with the Five Minute Friday community of friends over at Lisa-Jo‘s where we write for five minutes, refrain from extreme editing and speak words of encouragement to one another. Today began with the prompt: REMEMBER.
Connecting through the power of stories written, spoken and lived
beautiful, wonderful…..baby hail stones……I love that. It is so good to remember.
I won’t ever forget my girl sticking out her tongue catching as many as she could with that little gleam in her eye.
Love your heart sweet friend and your words always leave me on a sigh!
You never fail to bless me when you stop by, dear Tonya.
“…my papa playing Wii, heading the virtual soccer ball like the young athlete he was”. Remember Pete racing around the field, dribbling the soccer ball. One of the best!
He inspired my young soccer playing self…that’s for sure!
Dear Ashley
What a joy to hold precious memories, delicate like the petals of the rose in your picture and just as beautiful. And then reliving them because they are not gone; you are holding them in the wide open spaces of your heart!
Much love
Mia
I love that — holding them in the wide open spaces of the heart. How beautiful the reliving when memories have a good place to live. xoxo
Beautiful post. Great word isn’t it? I was your nieghbor today at the linky.
Nice to meet you.
Have a Blessed day,
Sherry
It IS a good word. So much comes with that one! Nice to meet you, too, Sherry!
So precious… these memories… your words… your heart that so shines brightly through them!
Bless you, sweet Karrilee!
Sweet Tiggie, another beautiful piece. I just love to read your blog and am always so thankful that you share your thoughtful expressions with us. I love you, Papa
Thank you, dear Papa. I love you!
Beautiful…This makes me think about my mom. So many memories.
Thanks for reminding me that although I’m terribly sad she’s gone, it’s good to ponder the good times.
Thank you for pointing us in this direction.
Oh, Lori. I’m so sorry. It’s a painful kind of good, I can imagine — remembering the one you love so dearly, but can no longer touch with your hands. I pray your memories do bring you some peace. Bless you, and thank you so much for your kind words.
Ashley … am so deeply touched by several things you mentioned here (though I won’t speak to which ones specifically)…the whole of this post was as lovely as a pale pink tutu of a camillia, or baby halestones being caught by a little one’s tongue. Delicate and true. You have a heart that sees so well.
Thank you so much, Ma. Isn’t that camellia gorgeous?!
so sweet. my eyes are watery…and it is hailing outside right now!
Oh, really?! :) I love you, friend. We loved our time with you and your girls so much!!
Thank you for sharing your beautiful memories with us! What a blessing memories are to be had…there are just so many little sweet things the kids say & do though that I THINK I’ll remember for years to come, but then they’re so quickly forgotten (so I am VERY thankful for photos to trigger memories)!
I know — isn’t it amazing? It’s hard for me to even remember many of them long enough to tell Mike at the end of the day. I’m thankful for photos, too, and words that help us recall the sweet moments right in the middle of the chaos.
I am soaking up these sweet memories of yours, Ashley, and smiling at your delight in remembering, catching them on the tip of your tongue and tasting their sweetness. You are a delight, my friend.
And you, my friend. Can’t wait to squeeze you in person. Just another week!
Blessings galore! Have a lovely holy week :-) You started out mine on a happy note. Hugs, Ashley
Blessings to you, Deb. I know this has been such an intense time for you and Rob. Am praying that you experience peace and joy these next days. He is risen!