My favorite day of the week is Friday...Of course for all the obvious reasons, but mainly because I am not torn in two different directions. My children and my job do not have to compete for my attention, and for 48 hours, I can pretend that I belong only to my husband and three children, instead of sliced and diced to be spread so thin, I need the help of an electronic device to remind me of where to be at any particular moment...
So last night, after wrapping up loose ends at work, I picked up my youngest treasure and decided to hit the little "fancy" grocery store around the corner. I picked up all kinds of tasty treats for hubby and I to share after this most stressful week. Along the way, the kids recounted their Valentine's semi-celebrations at school. My middle son had a performance in the morning that I was still swooning over, my youngest had drawn a beautiful Valentine for his father and I, and my oldest, what my oldest did floored me.
My two older sons attend the school that I teach at. Our PTSA sponsored a Valentine Teddy-Gram sale and I bought one for each of my boys, as I do every year. Matthew got his yesterday, and would not let it go. I mean, he carried it into the preschool to pick up his youngest brother, and he brought it with him when we got out at the grocery store...Floored, I tell you. Because, for the entirety of the school year last year, he would pretend not to know me when we saw each other at school. But yesterday, my son, who had my heart when he was still an unfertilized egg on the sonogram screen, my BIG nine year old son, clutched his little red bear like it was a treasure...and I was a happy woman.
Later on, after SEVERAL glasses of red wine and a nice dinner, I sat with my handsome men as we watched the opening ceremonies of the 2010 Winter Olympics. And my two older boys actually argued to see who would get to sit with me, hugging me, snuggling with me...and again, I was a happy woman...
Today, we went to our local arts festival...I love to submerse myself in the beauty and complexity of the colors and textures that are on display, and hopefully, find some inspiration among them. My middle son loves art. He has always loved to create and he enjoys discussing the incredible photography that is usually on display. We especially love to imagine where the photographer has captured a specific image. We detail the colors and imagery...and today, surrounded by this beauty, my two older sons held my hands; their fingers intertwined in mine, the heart beating through their palms and into my own, and again, I was a happy and grateful woman...
This evening, when they are in bed, my husband and I will share a quiet dinner and revisit the day. I will hold his hand as we talk, laugh about the day's events...and again, I will be a happy woman...
Because, right now, each in their own way, I am their Valentine and they are each mine. Because I have no need for the traditional trappings of the holiday. All I need, every once and a while, is to feel this loved; such as I have for TWO consecutive days. To be surrounded by these beautiful images, colors, textures; so that my heart is the canvas, these moments, the paint, and I have my own festival within my soul. To revisit time and again. Who could ask for more?
OH, Maria, this is soooo beautiful! And even I, a most cynical and whiney of mothers, can definitely relate!!! Ben has now decided he loves me best (yes, BEST...although I am planning to post about it so I will hold onto the details for now), and Aidan...well, you know about Aidan's obsession with me. And honestly, it makes me Happy. Happy. So happy. I feel so loved lately. Perhaps my kid should beat up other kids on the playground more often if this is what guilt does...
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