Saturday, April 18, 2020

No Title


Lily came over today to bring me a prescription that she'd picked up for me and brought the kiddos and Lauren and Pepper too. It was so good to see everyone. The first thing Maggie does is run for the hen house where she looks for eggs. She found three today! She may grow up to be a hen wife herself. After egg collecting she got up in the boat and Gibson joined her. "You are the captain!" she said. "I am the pirate. ARRGGH!"
Seriously. She did. She said that. And we all know that what she really is, is the boss.


Captain Gibson at the helm.


Pirate Maggie at the ready! Her hair was super curly today. Her hair is one of the wonders of the world in my opinion. 

The grown-ups and Owen had a nice socially distant yard chat. Here's my O-Boy. 


Not sure what the glove is all about but it may have had something to do with the homemade light saber he was carrying when he got here. He is growing up so fast. He's just so intelligent and funny and interesting and interested. 
"I miss you so much," I told him. 
"I miss you too," he said. 
Of course he'd say that. But he might. 

When they left there were a million air kisses and air hugs and I love-you! I love you's.
They went on their way to pick up some flowers and sparkly wine for Hank and Rachel which they took and dropped off at the wedding day couple's apartment. Mr. Moon and I sent a card and a little enclosed flat-gift for them via Lily. Jessie called me later to say that she was dropping off some of the beer that Vergil had made earlier for their wedding when we all still thought there was going to be one today. We got a picture later of the sweethearts having a toast with it. 



That call from Jessie turned into a very emotional and wonderful experience. 
August broke into the conversation to ask me a question. 
"Mer. When is this horrible...sickness... going to be OVER?"
My heart broke. 
"Oh, August. I don't know. Soon, soon, I hope." 
I told him that I was in the library sitting on the couch looking at all the books I want to read him and all the toys and the little carriage that Levon likes to push and the puzzles. And then he said, "Mer, will you read me a book so I can hear your voice?"
Well. Holy hell. 
And of course I did. I'm crying right now just thinking about it. We read "Sammy the Seal" by Syd Hoff and it didn't matter in the least what it was I reading him. We both just needed that so much. Or at least I did. 
Jessie said that they were reading a book the other day about the adoption of a puppy, I think, and that she was explaining what adoption was to August and he said, "Please, please, please! Can Bop and Mer adopt me?"
I think he decided that he would like to be adopted for five days. 
I think that Bop and Mer could handle that. 

Hell, y'all. I can't take too much of this missing the kids. I'm about ready to risk it. It's funny how even though the danger has nowhere near passed I am becoming a little more laissez faire when it comes to my fear of catching the virus from my children or grandchildren and I suppose that is absolutely the wrong way to feel. My emotional brain tells me that someone I love could not possibly be a vector of infection. No way. No how. That holding and hugging them is what I'm supposed to be doing and that I'm being ridiculous in this over-cautious avoidance of touch. 
Oh fuck. I don't know. I really do not know. 
But what I do know is that if it weren't for this heartache, I could probably live like this forever. The man and I are getting along so well and lovingly and although I can't get my hands on my kids we're texting far more than ever, sending pictures and messages and love throughout the days. We're such a sappy family when it comes to things like that. The heart emojis are flying, people! 
My husband isn't stressed out, I'm not stressed out. We're taking such delight in the smallest things. We are easily amused. We are taking nothing for granted. 
We are not yet nearly bored. 

Well, I better get supper ready so that we can watch that concert. Please god, don't let the Rolling Stones go on late, late, late. I hope we can find a channel to watch it on. I'd surely like to see it on the big screen rather than the computer screen. 

Let's check in tomorrow, okay? And in the meantime, stay safe, stay well, sweet dreams. 

Love...Ms. Moon

P.S. I've just thought about how horrible it must have been for parents who lived in London in World War II who had to send their kids off to live in the country with strangers in order to keep them safe during the Blitz and I feel guilty even talking about how hard it is for me even as I am able to see my beloved babies, albeit without touching them. 
Yes. This is hard. But it's certainly not the hardest. I shall try to remember that. 



37 comments:

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  2. Mary the kid and I were talking about that today in fact about Narnia being a story about England during the war. I am so thankful to have him here but he is crazy without his girl. XO

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    1. I know your son misses her. He's a good man to stay with you now.
      Can you imagine just putting your kids on a train and saying, "Bye-bye! See you when the war is over? Write letters if you can!"?

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  3. My three sisters were among those evacuees. My three brothers away in combat. I was a baby, and began to pine. My mother thought I would die,. Wouldn't eat, play, just sat staring. My father broke the law, bribed a bus driver to say nothing, brought home my sisters, never mind the bombing. My mom told me years later they'd decided that if they were going to die, they would die together. My late husband and I went through a similar decision during the Cuban missile crisis. We lived in the 20 minute warning zone -- max of 20 minutes to know if the bomb had been dropped. We frantically searched for each other, comedy of errors, he ran to my location, I to his, missed each other, eventually connected. We never spoke of it again.

    It's amazing what people have dealt with. Never underestimate your own ability to adapt and endure.

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    1. Oh, Boud. I did not know this. What a difficult time that must have been. Just horrific.

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  4. counting our blessings is the way to carry on through this phase.....the only way. We are so much more fortunate than many, both past and present, and the protesters are pissing me off big time. I can't go there. I know how much you want to hug and kiss your grands.....and everyone ......I do too, but I have to feel that the time will come. Its the only thing that keeps me going. That, and good books......and my husband and my dogs companionship. We persevere....and cook, and garden. ;-)
    Much love
    Susan M

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    1. and sending much love to Hank and Rachel, on what was to be their special day. I lift my glass to them tonight!

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    2. Thank you, thank you.
      I know. It's just so fucking hard.

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  5. So nice to see Owen moving into the grown-up's circle, and being included.

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    1. I don't think my family has ever in-or excluded from groups due to age. Hank still says that one of the best things about his childhood was listening to the grownups talk. But yes, Owen can now contribute and it's a joy.

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    2. I used to say that my daughter was born a grown up. she would often sneak quietly into the living room when she was supposed to be in bed to listen to our conversations when we had friends over.

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  6. Thanks for sharing your photos. Have a sweet night.

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  7. Wait. those kids were just born. I have a little wall around my heart because I can't touch my clients or their babies. I talk to my kids almost every day. My grandson is so tall and lanky and beautiful. The thought of never being with them again in the flesh keeps me inside. So I don't get sick. So one day I can drive to California and see the people I love the most. Our brief precious lives and how we live them. You, dear Mary have loved so well those in your orbit. I think that's all we're here to do. Love well.

    My love to all of you,

    Beth

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    1. I know. I know. I'm not the only one. It's so true. I do have a wall around my heart too but sometimes it is too easily breached.

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  8. I love that you all see each other though. You have the space to love each other from six feet away. That’s beautiful. So is reading a book to your grandson over the phone. And what Beth said.

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    1. It IS beautiful and I AM lucky. It's just that the little kids don't understand and that breaks my heart over and over.

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  9. Sending you love. This is so hard, all of it. My sister and her 5 year old son sent us a drawing and a little note in the mail and I burst into tears when I opened it. xoxo

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  10. I hope you enjoyed the concert tonight. I did. I wish they could have shown a little more of a close up of the Stones but still, they were there, along with a heck of a lot of other people. It was on several different channels so hopefully you saw it on your big screen. Take care and sleep well.

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    1. I did see it! And I cried and cried. How beautiful those old boys are! Is Charlie Watts the coolest guy on the planet? I think he might be.

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  11. It's really really hard. I think you should wait. Just a bit longer, at least. Reading aloud to the grandchildren might be something you can do every night on Zoom! Try it!

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    1. I just signed up for Zoom and told the kids. Now they better get on it.

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  12. You could do story time every evening via Zoom? All the kids could join?

    My husband thinks there should be an agreement to do this for at least a month every year. A month off down time, air cleaning, a break. I'm not sure how it would work but I think it's a good idea.

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  13. "Mer. When is this horrible...sickness... going to be OVER?"

    What a grown-up thing to say. All of your grandkids are growing up so fast! I love the fact that you read to them over Zoom.

    I think we should all wait a little bit longer before we start risking contact. I'm hoping that another month will bring about the beginnings of normal life resuming. We haven't peaked here in South Carolina yet, but so far our numbers are a little below the initial projections. That's a relief. Now if people will just be patient for a little longer we might be okay.....but then again, our dumb ass Governor is reopening the beaches. So we'll see.

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    1. Your governor. My governor. Our president. All fucking idiots. Fucking, fucking idiots.

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  14. It is hard but it's not forever, just feels like it right now. I'm so glad you go to see some of your grandkids and read a book to one. Lovely.

    It sucks for Hank and Rachel but they're together. One of our docs is supposed to get married in August and he's stressing about it poor guy.

    We spent the day pruning a dying tree and burning the branches. It has black fungus and you have to burn the it or put it in the landfill, so we burned all day.

    I saw the rolling stones last night on the One World Together At Home show. It was nice to see and hear positive messages for a change. If only tRump could do the same it would be a different world.

    Stay safe my friend.

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    1. I was reading comments on a Fox news thing about last night's event and one idiot asshole said something like, "Why wasn't there one word of thanks to our president for doing such a good job with this situation?"
      Hahahahahahaha!

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  15. That is true -- it's all relative. And it's also true that it's perfectly reasonable for you and your family to weight the risks and benefits of breaking isolation. You may in fact come to a point when you feel like it's worth it. I think it's still a bit soon, but hey, I get it. I struggle every day with whether this all really makes sense, especially as time drags on and there's no clear path forward.

    I'm glad you got to spend time with the grands, even virtually, and I'm glad Hank and Rachel had some kind of celebration to mark their still-special day.

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    1. It is too soon but I can feel myself breaking down. It's not time. I keep telling myself that.
      I hope and think that Hank and Rachel did have a very good day with a lot of sweetness.

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  16. Doing whatever it takes to steer clear of the RONA!! It is a blink in time but I suppose , for a child it seems like eternity. Maggies hair farm is glorious!! She is a stunner, so glad she has spirit, it will save her!!! Stay well, dear Mary!! We insist!

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    1. Oh Lord. Maggie has spirit enough for fifty children! She is the boss of us all and we adore her.
      I will stay well, Linda Sue. Thank you.

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  17. it is nice, or at least not terrible, for some of us, those of us lucky in our living and life situations. even those of us for who the stay at home edicts are causing real problems like money and bills and kids at home and and and, at least they aren't fearing the bombs falling every night. and the planet is getting a much needed breather.

    I love Maggie's hair but I bet she will hate it for a number of years. or maybe not. your grandkids don't seem to be bothered by peer pressure.

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  18. It wasnt just London re the kids Liverpool Manchester Newcaatle and many more All the big cities especially with docks. People in London didnt know this. It was kept secret for MORALE. People went to Liverpool from London to escape the bombing only to find it was worse Liverpool Blitz was later than London
    Smaller city easier to target. Heartbreaking families took there kids there thinking they were safe only to perish. Govt not telling the truth much like they are not today with the virus. They are a disgrace
    Sorry for gloom. Glad you got to see your lovely family Maggi x

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  19. My gran had quite a large house in North Wales and had city children billeted on her for the duration. Said it was hard on everyone. She also had American soldiers billeted for a time. I grew up in Birmingham, the UK's second city and I still remember the bomb shelter down the bottom of our garden!

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.