Sadly, we've seen that I have exactly one long post in my arsenal every six weeks or so, because that's what my schedule allows right now. When my children are all in school full time, I will have ample time to share my fascinating adventures in crossword-ing and knitting. Stay tuned.
I've decided I'm going to write every night anyway (though it is highly likely I won't publish every night), for a number of reasons.
1) My life IS totally incoherent and crazy and while I'd like to think I will at least retain a general impression...
2) There is no way I will remember anything specific without writing it down.
3) The mundane and the random are the absolute best things in life.
Regarding number three. I recently wrote a letter for my best friend's son's funeral. I could have cheerfully lived 1001 years without having to do such a thing. Do not mistake me here: I was honored to write that letter. Beyond honored. I am not going to share any of the details here, for the obvious reason that it is not my story to share, but suffice it to say that grief has been a close companion of mine since this happened.
The weird thing is that life just...went on. Nothing stopped. It was so surreal because I wanted to stand outside and scream at everyone until they realized that something precious had left the world, that there were whole families gutted by grief, and that it wasn't ok to just be out and about walking their dogs and buying groceries and updating Facebook.
I didn't, of course. I don't think a stint in an institution would do much for anyone, and of course, I am usually that person just living life. We all are, and so we should be, truly.
But when tragedy does come out of nowhere and slaps us around, when we are left dazed and bewildered in the aftermath, we realize then that that those ordinary and mundane days were the gift all along.
So. Not in disrespect to those who are hurting...I am one of you tonight...but in fervent gratitude for the gift of ordinary days, some randomness.
1) Belle, the Artist
She loves to draw and paint, and uses approximately four hundred sheets of paper per week to do so. All of her aunties on both sides are artistic, so she gets this honestly. My main problem now is figuring out what to save and what to toss. She's also extremely interested in reading and writing, and insists on me writing things for her to copy. Her favorite text lately? Paris in Love. I kid you not. The child lives in Japan, but is in love with Paris.
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| Pleased with herself at the art table |
This is a close up of her drawing. This one was a keeper. In her own words, "It's Aunt Desi. She is angry because the blue line is a loud noise." If you know my sister, you are probably laughing out loud right now. I laughed until I cried.
2) Biggie the Bookworm
He loves to read. When he is running around naked and attempting to drop kick his sisters and/or me (sadly, this occurs multiple times a day, and I'm not sure why nakedness is a prerequisite) if I suggest a book, he will immediately settle down and snuggle. For roughly the 11,134th time in my life, I am thankful for books.
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| There were 15 books in this stack. I counted. And the baby sleep position? I died a small death of delight. |
Des and Guy came to Tokyo on their way to New Zealand for a few weeks. This was from London, via Hong Kong, and before Guy had to go back to Antigua. While we all take a few moments to digest that and choke down our envy...
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| Typical moment here, pre Disney trip! |
So, the struggle is real. But despite their jet setting ways, they are both incredibly down to earth and genuine people and it was lovely to have them for their all too brief visit. Somehow every experience that we had was a weird blend of excellent and horrible, but they were lovely about the whole thing. Memories were made. Some regrettably so.
In illustration: we were having the best ramen of our lives in a tiny little ramen joint in Minami-Azabu, one of Tokyo's most upscale neighborhoods, when in lurches a very old and very deaf and very blind woman. Old and somewhat decrepit people are everywhere in Japan, so no big deal...until this poor woman had a rather noisy and pungent accident. What should have been a transcendent ramen experience is now soiled. Pun intended.
Further illustration: Des and I were psyched about taking the kids to Disney. We loved Disney World as kids and Addie was thrilled. She shrieked with happiness when she saw Cinderella's castle from the train. All were full of hope and life and optimism. Surely this day would be the best ever! About five hours later we all staggered out exhausted and beaten, having been on exactly four rides in about 1/10 of the park. One of those rides was "It's a Small World." Our boat stalled in one odd "Snow World" type scene where children of all colors and hues were cavorting in the snow on circus apparatus. Why? For what? Were we part of a sophisticated social experiment where the Imagineers re-created one of the upper level's of Dante's Inferno with snow and children? What does it all mean? In my case, it means I may never go back to Tokyo Disney.
And in still further illustration: Des and Guy and Tim went to a karoake bar. They were the only people there, except one aging Japanese cougar type lady who cheerfully joined into the Taylor Swift songs.
See? Wonderful and horrible at the same time.
4) Flora
She's growing up so fast. She sits up in the front of the cart now. How did THAT happen?
For reasons I fail to understand, this photo simply will not save in the proper position, even though it shows up in the thumbnail in the right orientation. Just sort of crane your head to the side and pretend I belong to this century.
She is basically built on the concept of "let's stack some circles on top of each other" and it makes for delicious cheeks. I can't even stand it. Her chubby cheeks and fat thighs and dimpled hands are my favorite thing in life. She also has two teeth on the bottom, front and center and that is it. She is kind of like a jack o lantern come to life right now, and it's awesome. She crawls at high speed and is beginning to cruise. And she is loud. She says "Mama", "Dada" (which is Belle and Daddy, for obvious reasons), "NiNi" (which is night night), "Nana" (which is nursing), and "NaaaaaaaaaDaaaaaa" (which is all done, with the baby sign language motion). It's all happening too fast. Her next phrase will be probably be "Slow Down!" because I say that all the time.
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| Waiting at DW while the others went on a ride |
