I just checked into the forum before going to bed. Tonight is the last full night with my daughter, son-in-law & especially our grand-daughter. The little girl who has stolen my heart, and makes it so hard to return to the home that I love and spent years to create.
Things certainly run in all directions for this little group of heart valvers. Tonight I have read how many of us our being forced to choose the safest course among options that are all dangerous. And so I won't complain, and will try not to feel bad about choosing between things I love.
We have been here a little over a week. During that time, little Ellie has progressed from discovering the ocean to wanting to be one of it's smaller fish. I wrote a very tiny song that I hope she will be able to learn in the weeks after we leave: I got the tune from her toy top that plays while it spins. The words go like this: Swimming in the ocean blue, salty baby--swimming, swimming in the sea, Ellie girl.
Ellie makes me dust off some old thoughts and memories. Here is (I think) a fun thing to try to remember: What did it feel like the last time you discovered something so beautiful, big & awesome that it changed everything? I think that exact moment is captured in Ellie's picture. She is just discovering the ocean. See how her body wants to go forward, but her fingers are tightly attached to the hands of her mom. See how she is on her tip toes, just a little worried about these waves that she sees coming in.
What a difference a few days make. I have written before about her great dog, a black lab named Toby. Within a few days she had both hands around Toby's collar, riding him through the waves like a fury dolphin. (All of this taking place under Dad & Mom's watchful eyes.) I am sure going to miss this little girl until our next trip.
Things certainly run in all directions for this little group of heart valvers. Tonight I have read how many of us our being forced to choose the safest course among options that are all dangerous. And so I won't complain, and will try not to feel bad about choosing between things I love.
We have been here a little over a week. During that time, little Ellie has progressed from discovering the ocean to wanting to be one of it's smaller fish. I wrote a very tiny song that I hope she will be able to learn in the weeks after we leave: I got the tune from her toy top that plays while it spins. The words go like this: Swimming in the ocean blue, salty baby--swimming, swimming in the sea, Ellie girl.
Ellie makes me dust off some old thoughts and memories. Here is (I think) a fun thing to try to remember: What did it feel like the last time you discovered something so beautiful, big & awesome that it changed everything? I think that exact moment is captured in Ellie's picture. She is just discovering the ocean. See how her body wants to go forward, but her fingers are tightly attached to the hands of her mom. See how she is on her tip toes, just a little worried about these waves that she sees coming in.
What a difference a few days make. I have written before about her great dog, a black lab named Toby. Within a few days she had both hands around Toby's collar, riding him through the waves like a fury dolphin. (All of this taking place under Dad & Mom's watchful eyes.) I am sure going to miss this little girl until our next trip.
