through the hustle bustle, live for moments like this
I’d forgotten about this… and these are the details of one’s life I hope never to forget.
One Saturday a few Saturdays ago, the King of Everything and I arrived home in the early evening: exhausted, cranky, done it. A massive thunderstorm was piling up on the horizon, pushing steel grey clouds closer to our house. The Boy was whining for more books, more milk, more time to play. I was whupped. And suddenly, inspired. I whisked us into our pyjamas and put the pile of books away. The boy whined.
“shhh!” I whispered. “You’re going to miss the show!” I arranged a positively barroque pile of pillows across the headboard, raised the blinds, and settled in.
“What show, mama?” he asked, intrigued in spite of himself. I pointed to the windows that framed an ominous show about to start.
“The lightning show!” and it began. Jagged bolts of pure electricity danced across the clouds, jumping along the roof of the sky and trailing rumbling, growling thunder behind it. The King was mesmerized, and we both caught our breath at a spectacular display of pyrotechnics. We watched the storm fly past our window, and when it was done, the boychild was asleep.
Summer is a season filled with moments like these. Don’t let the double duty of single parenthood blind you to these tiny slivers of perfection.
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POSTED IN: ritual
6 opinions for through the hustle bustle, live for moments like this
NYC Mama
Jun 21, 2007 at 9:49 pm
I have been awed by your ability to take seemingly mundane circumstances, such as the walk to school or a thunder storm, and turn them in to moments of magic that will undoubtedly become the childhood memories the KoE remembers most fondly. Bravo to you, Solomother.
Bowrag
Jun 23, 2007 at 12:09 am
For some unknown reason down here in Houston it has rained almost everyday since summer started. My wife and girls and I have been watching the thunderstorms and lightning shows as well. We also decided to start playing in the rain each afternoon, stomping puddles, etc… Instead of wishing for sunny days we should all be more like you and enjoy what we get.
christina
Jun 23, 2007 at 10:53 am
NYC Mama, it’s my mental health therapy. it is also, strangely enough, something my ex never understood.
thanks, lady.
christina
Jun 23, 2007 at 10:55 am
Bowrag, you got our weather, and we have yours. Parched earth and ominous clouds that don’t drop any rain. I remember how amazed I was when I realized that slickers and big boots don’t keep a four year old dry.
Enjoy your puddles.
angel
Jun 25, 2007 at 1:29 pm
wonderful christina- a truly spectacular brainwave!!!
Christina
Jun 25, 2007 at 8:56 pm
:) grab a bowl of popcorn, Angel. The next show’s about to start any minute now.
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