Friday, May 3, 2013

More Bible Study But Mostly In My Own Backyard


The sky is fresh-made bruise and the wind is whipping up and it's barely seventy degrees and supposed to get down into the forties this weekend and I swear to you- I've never seen a May this cool but the rain has been wonderful and the beans and the cukes I planted last Sunday are already up, busting through the  earth and proclaiming their lives and I can't keep up with the snow peas already and the squash is about ready to start picking.
So much for giving up on the garden.

The boys and I had a very sweet day today and if Owen's brain had a worm in it, it was a quiet worm. I got to lay down on the bed with Gibson in my arms to give him a bottle and that is one of the joys in my life. I hold him up close in the same position as if he was my nursling and I pat his bottom and say, "Sssh, sssh, sssh." It usually works to get him to sleep but not today. He decided instead to wake full up and wrestle with his brother and they are like two puppies and yes, nips are given (by Gibson) but also kisses (by both). I have never seen such sweet brothers. I am sure that before they're grown things will change because that is the nature of brothers but I have a feeling that underneath it all, they will always, always be each others' best friend and I hope so. There could be no bond like that one, except of course, for maybe sisters.
I don't know.
I wish my baby brothers would talk to me again. I miss them. I love them. What else is there to say about that?
I'll tell you another thing about the Bible- it is full of stories about brothers, starting with Cain and Abel and it goes from there. I am not loathe to admit that the Bible has a whole hell of a lot of good stories in it about every kind of human nature and some beautiful poetry in it too. And that is the truth.

Owen found two tiny frogs on the back porch today and he carried them out to put into the bushes. One of them I think was dead but he said, "This one sleeping. Be quiet, Mer," and so I was and maybe it was only sleeping. I didn't give it a medical exam or anything. I am proud of him, though, for being brave about holding frogs and bugs and I am proud of him for loving his brother and I am proud of him for so many things. I have said it a million times and I'll say it a million more- I never even began to dream about what being a grandmother would be like. Holding them close and letting them move farther and farther into the yard with only my watchful eye to follow, being there and being part of it all, the learning, the growing, the tenderness, the incredible all-ness of it, every bit of it and it feels as right and correct as anything I've ever done. It feels human and it feels ape. Like becoming a mother felt, only with more years behind me and fewer before me to make it all the more precious.

That's all I have to say now and the wind gusts, gusts and the magnolia leaves rattle and yesterday I saw a male cardinal feeding his lady with his beak and sometimes all of it seems almost Biblical, only without the mean god, only without the bloody sacrifice, just the normal ones of life and Lord, my Lord, they are plenty enough for me and glory too.






12 comments:

  1. When you write about your grandchildren it makes me think wow that's something that will be so sweet...someday.

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  2. Love hearing about your day, Ms. Moon. The boys are awesome, and I look forward to reading about more of their adventures with the best MerMer. Enjoy your weekend.

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  3. Well, this is just about perfect.

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  4. You had the best kind of religious experience -- an appreciation of life!

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  5. Owen ordered for me at lunch the other day. "Uncle Hank," he told May, "want a giraffe burger."

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  6. Sounds like your world is bursting with goodness.

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  7. I love the way you love. Sweet Jo

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  8. I can see about half of my garden spot now. This snow is taking forever to go away. Sigh. I'm jealous of you and your squash.
    I wish my grandson could wrap his brain around "grandma". When we Face Time, he sees me and squeals "Molly!" Which is my dog's name. I'd be flattered but he also calls my husband the same thing, lol

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  9. Sounds like the perfect day! Just the way they are meant to be enjoyed.

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  10. I can't believe you already have squash ready to pick. Ours have barely started blooming and I'm pretty sure we planted before you did. well, we have zucchini and you have yellow.

    that cold came through here on Thursday. and yeah, I don't ever remember a May with these cool temperatures.

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  11. Theresa- It is something to live for. Truly.

    Mr. Shife- I AM the best MerMer. Maybe not the best grandmother but the best MerMer. And quite possibly the only one. Thanks.

    Elizabeth- For that moment in time here in Lloyd.

    Steve Reed- That is all I really need.

    Mr. Downtown- And was that the special? Haha! That boy is hysterical. You're lucky he didn't order you the poop burger.

    Denise- It really is.

    Sweet Jo- I get a lot back, too.

    heartinhand- Kids love animals more than anything. That's just the truth.

    Lynne- Some of them actually are.

    Ellen Abbott- It's so weird. But nice.

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  12. Cold and windy here today. Cruise cancelled for the weekend. Tired of the endless wind.

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