So today was the end of my month in the sunshine state. It was a pretty great day :) The girlies woke me up pretty early and we finished off a movie. We hung out for the first part of the day; coloring and playing Barbies. PB&J for lunch with pretzels and a slice of cheese (tomatoes for Madalyn and carrots for Brynn). We just spent the time enjoying our last day. A little later Uncle Pat took the girls and I to the Daytona flea market. I have to say, it was pretty incredible! More vendors than you can imagine. The buildings which, at first, seem separate are actually connected, making it a strange maze of products that are so eerily similar you're sure you've already walked that way. I bought a few more presents and completed more, still leaving with half the money I brought. I could have spent all day there. The girls had an art camp earlier in the summer and their work was on display at a local gallery, so the whole family went to look at it. Afterwards my aunt and uncle went on a date, giving the girls and I one last night to be ridiculous together: we did not disappoint. We purchased an insane amount of junk food at the grocery store as well as two large pizzas and cheesy bread from Little Caesar's. We headed home and began to eat... and eat, all the while watching The Lorax. Afterwards we initiated a special goodnight bedtime ritual. This was where my fun really began. First we played "follow the leader" as I sprinted around the house doing and shouting silly things, all the while cleaning up. Afterwards we did a brief workout - soon realizing that our stomachs were simply too full to exercise. Then we went upstairs and I read a book to them. After they brushed their teeth I read them book number two. Then we had a dance party. I read the final book following our dance off and then proceeded to start a pillow fight :) Finally, after we were all pooped, I requested they climb into bed, and we prayed. Their prayers were sweet - "thank you for Caty being here, I really wish she didn't have to go","watch over Caty, help her to not find a boyfriend 'til she's thirty" - okay, MOSTLY sweet. Then I sung them a few songs - one being my favorite as a kid: "Peaceful Easy Feelin" by the Eagles. Afterwards I shut the door as they said their final goodnights. It was pretty touching.
Maybe it's the lulling, slightly sad music that I have playing on Spotify right now, but I'm feeling bittersweet about this departure. In general, I want to go home. I miss my family, my friends, sleeping in, NOT having to cook three meals per day for picky little girls. I'm excited for the adventures I'll have upon returning...still I'm sad. As is the human condition, we don't realize quite how much we have until we lose it, or are faced with the reality of losing it. As I pack my belongings, I'm discovering how MUCH I love these people. To see parents like my aunt and uncle who are so devoted to their jobs but care a hundred times more about their children, is touching. They work so hard each day and come home thrilled to see their little dolls. These children are inspiring as well. They sing, dance, even eat without shame or hesitancy. They believe in their dreams, real belief. I am going to miss their sincere hearts and their gentle spirits, and their couch attacks. This family has touched me and inspired me. They've given me hope that families without massive secrets and ugly issues can exist; that hard work and love DO pay off, in their time.
No comments:
Post a Comment