Uncategorized
Feature Friday | Seeing the Glitter
Can you guys believe that next week is Christmas?! Have you done your shopping yet? I finished up yesterday (finally). The only thing I’m really lacking is a few more things for the little guys’ stocking. Stockings were always one of my favorites parts of Christmas growing up. Candy, tiny little trinkets that usually ended up scattered across the floor. We’re spending Christmas with our closest friends and neighbors next week. A big get together with lots of food on Christmas Eve and then church with their family Christmas morning. One upside to being military-you become family to people that are of no relation to you because you’re all in the same boat during the holidays. We’re grateful to have such wonderful friends.
And I’m grateful to be introducing one of my wonderful blog friends today for Feature Friday. Do you guys know Galit from These Little Waves? She’s…well, pretty fabulous. She’s writing a novel, spills her heart on her blog week after week and is a super-fantastic commenter and supporter. I’m so happy to be featuring her this week!
Glitter
Morning sun glistens through gray curtains. When the light, the timing, my eyes catch just right, our bedroom sparkles.
But right now doesn’t glitter. This moment is colored in by the need to get out the door.
Chloe and Brody, long ago up and ready, run through my quiet.
I reach for dark jeans and nubby knits; grateful for cozy weather, wishing I was reaching for that cup of coffee cooling on the counter.
Peeking at the clock, I see its bright reminder, we’re an eyelash flutter away from late- again.
8:50 Ten minutes before we have to leave for school
Kayli steps beside me, a titch too close, I can’t quite get dressed.
“Mom,” she starts.
“Get ready first, then tell me your story, okay?” I answer.
Out of the edge of my heart, I see her shoulders slump.
8:52 Eight minutes before we have to leave for school
She’s back, half dressed. Her voice lilts towards me, but my thoughts overpower her words.
Pencil strokes etch before my eyes- Brush teeth, pull back hair, find socks, maybe a different shirt?
My mental checklist is noisy.
8:54 Six minutes before we have to leave for school
“Mom? C’s mom-”
My to-dos and her bare feet call Mom louder than she does.
“Kay,” I interrupt, a slice wrapping around my voice, “We have to get ready now.”
8:58 Two minutes before we have to leave for school
She stands before me, shoulders back, suddenly tall. She’s fully dressed and her pink tipped fingers are
laced, cupping one fuschia ponytail holder, matching lip gloss, and socks- second grade necessities.
I pull on my own socks, brush my lips across her forehead as I squeeze by her side, reaching for my own necessities.
“Mom!” She says, her own voice is edged and wrapped and telling- she has something to say.
“C’s mom is sick. We made cards. Mine’s purple, I think she’ll like it. Do you?”
And finally, I pause. I look at my girl with her auburn locks and chocolate eyes. Her edges are soft, caring, and in this case- demanding. I’m thankful for all three.
With one minute to spare, I finally see the glitter, in my girl.
Comments
Thank you so very much for having me here today, Courtney! xo
What a sweet girls. Sounds just like my daughter. Always doing something nice for someone else.
Thanks so much, Jess!
{And yes, that kindness absolutely slays me!}
She has a beautiful heart!
Indeed.
Thank you, friend! xo
love the moments when our kids are looking out for others … makes me feel like i am doing as good job … if i just stop long enough to appreciate it all!
Yes, that. Exactly that.
Thanks for your words, sweet friend!
Happy holidays to you and your family, Courtney! Glad to meet you through Galit
Galit, you are as always, the master with descriptive writing. This post is a great example of that. You’ve managed to capture the sense of urgency, the chaos that’s in your head at the moment so beautifully, and yet so relate-able. Your daughter, Kayli, is such a gentle soul! She really is sweet and caring. I’m not surprised though, because from all your posts, I know how loving you and your husband are, as parents and mentors to your children.
Thank you, Sweaty so very much, for all of your kindness.
I love how you described Kayli- I would use the same exact words, too! Her middle name, Adiina, means gentle. How’s that for kismet?
I know these rushed mornings SO well. Although, school starts at 8 here…it’s always a battle to be on time.
Your daughter sounds so sweet
Thanks, girl! I *know* you can relate- to crazy mornings and little sweetie pies!
Oh, I love this. It’s so easy to forget as I get caught in he hurry of each morning, or the urgency of trying to cook dinner- so easy to forget to notice.
Yes, that. Exactly that.
Thank you so very much for your visit and words! They both mean so much to me!
So glad you got the glitter just in time – before it was gone!
Thank you, friend. Me, too!
She has a beautiful soul and a generous spirit. Just like her mom.
That? Was lovely {and generous}. Thank you, dear friend!
Caroline has Asperger’s syndrome, it’s SO hard for me to distinguish between the times when I need to pause and listen and the times when she just needs to do what I said first. Because she is mortally convinced of the importance of whatever she has to tell me. And half the time that something is “I found a ROCK yesterday!” She has a rock obsession. She finds a rock every time she walks past our front flowerbeds which are ringed with colorful gravel. On the other hand? She’s going to sparkle when she sees the rock tumbler she’s getting for Christmas.
Hi Jessie! It is so very hard to know what to do when, isn’t it?
P.S. Kayli loves rocks, too! We got her a rock tumbler for her last birthday and oh my, yes- sparkles galore!