Friday, May 1, 2020

A Very Special Day


For a little while this afternoon our internet went out and strangely and oddly and unexplainably (to me) our cell reception went to almost nothing at the same time. This was disturbing in that the internet and the cell reception should have nothing to do with each other at all and yet...there we were. My neighbor reported that her cell reception had also gone down and she has a different carrier. Her internet was out too but we both use Century Link so that wasn't as mysterious.
Weird.

You know what I did today?
Whatever the hell I wanted.
I walked on Whitehouse Road.



I bet I've posted a picture from that same exact spot at least a dozen times but I tell you that it's so much more beautiful than the picture even begins to show that it is almost impossible not to stop and try to capture it. I walked a little more than four miles but Whitehouse is so much more hilly than Old Lloyd Road where I usually walk that it's a better work-out. And I had a pretty good pace going, mostly because when walking up hill my theory is that the faster I do it, the sooner it will be over. 

Beyond that walk, I've done little else except to think about how precious this time has been and how anxious the idea of life going back to "normal" makes me feel. And having THAT thought makes me feel incredibly selfish. But fuck- I didn't cause the Coronavirus and my pure joy in these last few weeks of having no responsibilities and no obligations has been an absolute miracle in my life. 
I have not taken it for granted. Instead, I have drenched myself in the goodness of it. The sweetness of it. The opportunity to be able to slow down enough to appreciate the minute-by-minute mundane beauty of it all. Even not being able to hug my children or grandchildren has reinforced my knowledge of how much that touch, that physical demonstration of love means in my life. 
It's also given me time to take care of the new chickens, to walk as much as I want to, to be close to my husband and to find out that yes, we love each other even if we're together all the time and not on vacation in Mexico. 

The church next door has gathered again. I hear the drum and the singer wailing. The other day when I walked past it there were four pairs of shoes in front of the front door and I wanted to take a picture and title it, "The Rapture Has Happened."
I did not. 
I am sure that the shoes were left there because cleaning was going on. 

Today is Jessie's birthday. Here's a picture she just sent to the group. 


I think that she has probably been so happy to be at work today. When you're a full-time mother, going out into the world to a job can be a break. Isn't she beautiful in her nursing scrubs? I am so proud of her. Of course I've spent all day thinking about her and her birth too. I've written about it many times. How it was my fourth birth, my third home birth, the rain, the magnolias blooming, my brothers all being with me, my friends who were there, cooking and taking care of Hank and May and Lily, my midwife who had been with me for all of my births, the rainbow that appeared in the sky right after she was born, the joy and light she brought with her and which she has filled my heart with since that moment thirty-one years ago. Not to mention the gifts of two amazing grandsons she has given me along with the son-in-law she chose for her daddy and me who sired those boys and whose influence I see in them and celebrate all the time. 
The other day when I was reading Levon and August the beloved "Duck in a Truck" when we got to the part where the duck drives the truck into the muck and gets stuck I said, "Oh, no! How is he going to get that truck out of the muck?" And Levon with the most pragmatic voice on the planet said, "With a trackhoe." 
I never want to forget that. 

Well. I better make supper before my martini kicks my ass into complete incompetence. 

Happy Friday, y'all. 

Love...Ms. Moon


26 comments:

  1. With a trackhoe! The child just cracks me up.

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    1. He's smart, that one. He knows his equipment.

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  2. Happy Birthday, Jessie and thank you for the work you do, at the hospital and at home! Levon might grow up to be a funny guy. Have a sweet night.

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    1. I think Levon already is a funny guy. He cracks us up.

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  3. Cheers to your beautiful girl/nurse/mama, what a memorable birthday. I hope i stick around long enough to see who your grandchildren grow up to become. I don't think I have enough years in my favor, but ,that is my wish. That is a beautiful road you walk on! Four miles, wow. I walked four inches today. so, you know...doing well.

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    1. I hope I stick around long enough to show you who these grandchildren grow up to become. And I don't have enough years in my favor either but I'll do the best I can.
      I've always been a walker. It's what I do. So it's not really a big deal for me.

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  4. sigh. Your beautiful daughter in her scrubs makes me tear up. All your children are warriors in their own sense and this must be so fulfilling for you. Your day sounds divine......and I love that you talked about the physical demonstration of love......hugs, kisses, closeness. I think that is what I miss most too
    Susan M

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    1. My kids ARE all warriors. Each in different ways. Some that I talk about and some that I do not. But each of them is so very special and amazing and brave and I am proud of them all. I can't wait to hug them up!

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  5. I just love the things kids say! Levon is one smart little guy!

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  6. Giving birth is so special isn't it - the most amazing moment in time - and then it just flies by. Happy birthday Jessie - what a beautiful young lady!

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    1. If life is like a string of pearls and beads the births of our children are the diamonds, the emeralds, the rubies. I like to think about it like that. Jessie is a beautiful woman, isn't she?

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  7. I took a ride down Whitehouse Road on google maps, a very pretty road. I'm glad you're getting exercise and fresh air, best prescription ever. Now I need to take my own medicine. I'm going to Beaver Hills come hell or high water today.

    Happy birthday to Jessie. She's only a year older than my middle daughter. Stay safe my friend.

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    1. I'm so glad you did the google-ride down Whitehouse Road. It's pretty gorgeous land out there. I hope you got to get out and enjoy some of the beauty of where you live today.
      Daughters are wonderful, aren't they?

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  8. we have four birthdays between the end of April and the end of May. Mine, my daughter-in-law, my daughter, and my son. it's referred to as birthday month around here. how old is Levon? 3? and he knows what a trackhoe does. amazing.

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    1. Yes, it is the birthday season here, too. And then we have a major number of them in September and early October. It's ridiculous! Levon is not three until November so...yeah. His fascination with equipment has turned into real knowledge. I'm impressed.

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  9. Belated birthday greetings to Jessie. What kind of nursing does she do Ms Moon? I hope she's not having to deal with COVID patients.

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    1. She's what she calls a mommy-baby nurse. She works in postpartum with the mothers and the babies. So not a whole lot of exposure to Covid patients. She is very good at what she does. As you can imagine.

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  10. Yes, your child's birthday brings back so many memories of the birth, as well as the pleasure of seeing a beautiful accomplished young woman. Happy birthday to her, congratulations to you!

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    1. Thank you, Boud. Jessie has always been a joy.

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  11. I enjoyed the break when it first began. As it stretches on I'm having a little more trouble with it; but when it's over I'm sure some part of me will lament being back at work! The grass is always greener, you know?

    "A trackhoe" -- ha!

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    1. Yep. I think we're going to look back on these days with immense nostalgia. I really do.
      Trust me when I say that Levon at the age of two knows more about earth moving equipment than you and I do put together.

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  12. A belated happy birthday to Jessie, and a great thank you to Mrs. Moon.

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  13. Just thinking about the beauty of your whole family makes my heart so tender.

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  14. So much love it’s bursting out all over the place!

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