An hour ago I picked up Edmund and received my first real hug from him. His gaze so full. His joy. Now he and his parents ride to Portland. Their flight this afternoon, their east coast life resuming.
Near my feet transplanted lupine thrive. California poppies will open later in sunshine. Mexican sunflowers are orange splashes beneath the window. Kiwi leaves entwine behind the clothesline; berry plants arch branching vines toward the gate.
My grandchild's embrace lingering around my neck, I glimpse a remembered view. There's only plain grass, a clothesline, and a hole. Another child, pacifier gratified, watches his daddy, Tim, pouring cement. This boy takes moments to explore the deck boards, to gaze upward and wonder about clouds. At a distance the truck backs in through the gate, the black pole is set in place and the dish erected. He takes it all in.
I pin clothes and chase a puppy and guide the toddling boy away from dangers. Like Edmund's parents, I feed and cuddle and scold and can't ever really pause to hug myself near the backyard dish with my warm mug, at least not before days of do-it-yourself satellite programing have long passed.
My toddling boy has grown up, has found his joy farming south of town, and has given us beans climbing grape vines which climb the apple tree. His nephew plants new memories each moment for my daughter to absorb. She'll ponder them one day, beneath whatever twining vines may rise.
4 comments:
That sunflower is amazingly gorgeous!
How wonderful Edmund could be near you in the summer… tho parting is sad...
Dear Deanna, this lovely posting really brings home to me the continuing circle of our being. Thank you for the lovely photographs and for sharing your memory of your son and your delight in your grandson. Peace.
Fresca, I love those chocolate sunflowers. My mom gave James the seeds for Christmas.
Dee, I'm glad this came across that way, because circling and connecting is what was going on for me.
Lyrical writing, Deanna. Wonderful images and themes. They circle. They connect. And, oh, how they bloom.
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