Friday, April 18, 2008

The essence of time

Crocuses spring from the bleakest pockets of our yard, brilliant flashes of purple and white unexpectedly punctuating dark corners with cheer. The girls are like that, taking the most mundane moments and infusing them with a joy and passion that steals my breath. On walks they exclaim over planes and the song of an unseen bird. They laugh hysterically over the neighborhood cats lolling about beneath cars. My resting face is a smile when I am with them and, when I am not, I can capture their zest, laughing at my reflection in the window of a parked car, or seeing the preciousness of someone's child in the grizzled face of the man behind me at the bank.

I find myself deliciously conflicted, anxiously anticipating the arrival of another, while desperately clinging to this moment in time. Briar's discovery of self, asserting opinions, demanding independence and staking her claim as first born, older sister and resident princess. Avery hovers, as strong and swift as a hummingbird, one moment quivering with "do it myself" adamance and the next alighting upon one of us and clinging, melting back into the baby she was, all dark hair, piercing eyes and plump lips. I want to live suspended in this time of exploration and wonder, swirling limbs tickling my insides and husky voices caressing and coaxing me from sun up through bed time.

Sitting here today I know with certainty that this is my moment, like Charlotte preparing her web, I am at the central moment of my life. I shepherd the girls with a gentle touch, allowing them to press forward, creating a lead that will one day achieve a distance that extends beyond my reach, the only tether the trust we've built. And as their shadows grow taller, their faces ever leaner, a sister grows inside of me, her own independence and will already rivaling that of her sisters. Never in my life have I felt so completely attuned to what was meant for me.

And so, I wait, beside and behind the girls, one hand on my belly, a lump in my throat and a resounding sense of peace, a celebratory exclamation in my soul, like the crocuses at our feet.

Stumble Upon Toolbar

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

I guess you're not in the mood for waiting until May 6th, eh? ;-)

Thinking about you!

carrie said...

This mothering is our magnum opus (I think I remembered that right!). I love how you let these feelings spill from your soul, as they are true for all of us.

Heather said...

Your words are like poetry.

Robin said...

What beautiful writing! You make me even More excited to meet my baby & become a mom. Have a great weekend.

Kimberly said...

And that? Made me cry.

In a good way. :-)

amanda said...

like charlotte preparing her web?

wow...

how do you do that? your words paint such beautiful pictures.

Sarahviz said...

Another gorgeous one, Amanda. Checking in everyday with you!

Kelly said...

I keep clicking over thinking that perhaps today is the day we get to meet your next daughter. I can tell you this with the same certainty you relish your role as mother: you make me more attuned to my own children, help me to seek out patience when I think it's long buried, and teach me the pleasure of being present.

Damselfly said...

"And so, I wait, beside and behind the girls, one hand on my belly, a lump in my throat and a resounding sense of peace, a celebratory exclamation in my soul, like the crocuses at our feet." {Pang!}

How do you do it?

Anonymous said...

Wow. This was the most beautiful thing I've read in a long time. Thank you for sharing this moment with us.

Now I'm off to browse your archives - I'll be back. :)

Amy Y said...

So beautiful, Mama.