Wednesday, May 10, 2023

Happy To Be Here


Last night I set out the Nutella snacks so that I would remember to take them to August and Levon as it was a pick-up day today. When I went to put them in my bag, Jack appeared to be keeping watch over them which I appreciated. He is a stout fellow in body and in heart. 

I had a nice morning, taking things slow, checking out the bean progress in the garden, doing a little of this and a little of that and I stopped by Publix on my way to get Levon, mainly to pick up a prescription and get more of the coffee we like which was on BOGO. I now have quite a stash. 
Rich! I am filthy rich! 

When I got the boy he swaggered out the door the way he always does, his lunchbox in one hand, his canvas bag holding school papers, his shoes, and his water bottle in the other. I hugged him and he sort of shrugged me off. I told the teacher who was in charge of the door today, "It's like he's eighteen."
"Twenty-five," she said. "Inside of Levon is a twenty-five year old man."

He wanted to make sure I'd brought the proper snack before we even got in the car. I told him that I'd brought a good snack AND something else but that if he started bugging me about playing on my phone, the good stuff would not be forthcoming. 
He understood.

I gave him the Nutella pack as soon as we got to their house and he ate that while I ate my heated-up leftovers from last night. 


"Next time I'm just going to give you a spoon," I said. The ratio of Nutella to the bread sticks you're supposed to use to dip the stuff out of the container does not seem to be right to me. They always run out of breadsticks before they run out of Nutella and the next thing I know they have chocolate and hazelnut spread all over their hands and face. A clean-up is necessary. 

Levon wanted to get in the pool as soon as my lunch and his snack was over and so he put on his swimming attire and we went outside and he played in the water for awhile and then he said he was cold so we came inside and he wanted a bath to warm up. 
Why not? 


I could tell he was getting drowsy after a little while and I said, "You ready to get out and go read some books?"
"Yes," he said, and I rinsed him off and he toweled off and put on his shorts and said, "I don't need a shirt."
I agreed that he did not. 
We read a few books that I'd brought over, one of them the much-read and beloved, "Amos and Boris" which actually brought tears to my eyes today. It's such a lovely book.
God, I love to read books to children. 

And then we played with some grape-smelling play-doh-like substance that Levon told me they had made at school. He wanted us to make pizzas with it and so we did. I was quite proud of mine. 


That, for anyone who can't tell, is a pepperoni and anchovy pizza. 
And then Levon offered to cut it up for me. 


"Great knife skills!" I told him. 

Soon it was time to go get August and I have to tell you that seeing this beautiful child come out of school or after-care with his pink unicorn backpack and pink sneakers makes me wish that I prayed because I would pray that August never has to learn that boys don't wear pink and that rainbows and unicorns are for girls. He is absolutely and completely comfortable in his skin, in his clothes, in his loves. And so far, I think that the children he goes to school with just accept August as his own person and that is that. And the adults seem to simply love him.
He told me twice today that his friend Emma from school is coming over for a playdate tomorrow. This is the little girl with whom he exchanges art work almost daily, I think. Love is a big theme of these pictures. Emma's the one whom Levon asked August if he's going to marry. 
"If she wants to," he said. 

August ate his Nutella and then it was time for the pool again. 


"Hey Mer! You wanna see something?" was said over and over again. As we all know, nothing counts unless Mom or Dad or Grandmother or someone watches the feat being performed. And then I timed how long they could stay underwater and then Vergil came out and announced that Dad was off work. 

I gave the boys nose kisses because that's what they wanted, told them I love them, and packed up my books and refrigerated items and headed home. It is hot now. It was 89 degrees on the shaded back porch when I got here. The crickets are singing their summer song and there is the lassitude which comes with the heat. 
Everything is full green now, still freshly so, but no longer the timid green of the first thrusting leaves, fronds, and sproutings. 
No matter what the calendar says, we have stuck our toes in the warm water of summer here and indeed, yesterday while I was working in the garden it occurred to me that it surely would feel good to drive to the Wacissa and have my first baptism of the year. 
That will happen soon. 

Meanwhile, all is well and I am glad for this day wherein I could be MerMer again. 

Love...Ms. Moon

25 comments:

  1. What a heavenly day. You're such a good narrator, too. I'm right there!

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  2. I hope nobody ever tells August either. A lovely day indeed, the kind that make you thankful for just being.

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    1. August definitely lives in a slightly different world than the rest of us. HE sees what he wants to see and there's a lot of stuff he just doesn't bother noticing. So maybe that will keep him innocent for awhile. I hope so.

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  3. This day sounds like just what the doctor ordered! Glad you're feeling better.

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  4. A perfect day in every way. Grandkids were put on this earth for a very precious reason.

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    1. What? Besides continuing the species? Haha! Yes. You are right.

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  5. Whoever decided unicorns and rainbows are only for girls needs re-educating. Levon looks cute surrounded by a halo of suds.

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    1. The funny thing is, he loves a lot of what we might call "boy" stuff too. He is his own unique and wonderful self.

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  6. I bought a boy doll for my lovely Charlie for Christmas and he gives him his bottle every night! I think people are becoming more open but I hate to say it that I think high school will be tougher on August if he chooses to go with the pink!

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    1. Oh, I love that! Owen went through a real doll and stuffed animal loving period. He talked about being a dad all the time. It was precious.
      We have a long time before August is in high school. Perhaps things will have moved a little farther along, evolutionarily.

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  7. summer made its appearance here but this week we are having storms which has cooled it off a bit. I hope August's gentle soul never gets crushed.

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    1. I'd love a storm. We're pretty dry right now.
      Your lips to the gods' ears about August's soul.

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  8. That is a very MerMer day! Fortunately I think a lot of kids (and adults) are much less judgmental and demanding than they used to be about a lot of those gender stereotypes. Not all adults, obviously.

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    1. The main problem, of course, is that kids are raised by the adults who aren't as tolerant. But you're right for sure. Even ten years ago a little boy in pink sneakers would have caused some sort of reaction.

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  9. It's hard not to worry about our grandchildren. I hope the world is kinder, cleaner, happier as they grow up.

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  10. You sure made this day come alive! Sounds lovely. And every time I see the front of your house, I wish I could be there. That verandah ... -Kate

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    1. It is a lovely place. Every time I sit on it I think of how lucky I am to be able to live here.

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  11. Levon in the bath...nothing more wonderful than that. Nutella considered part of breakfast in those foreign lands...I could never get used to it- too sweet for my liking. A child's idea of helth food- tasty health food...Can not worry about the future of fuckedupedness. Either the kids willl survive or they won't , that is why we make life right now conscious and as glad as can be.

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    1. Jessie told me that August isn't quite as charmed by Nutella as his brother is. Hmmm... I guess he's too polite to tell me. I tried the stuff exactly once and said, "Nope."
      I think August will make it. At least he's in the right family. We are all so supportive of all flavors of differences.

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  12. I also hope that nobody ever tells August he shouldn't wear Pink or Love Unicorns... being comfortable in one's own Skin is always being authentic to Self. And he is in the right Family with unconditional Love and Acceptance which goes a very long way. Those Children are Beautiful inside and out, what a simply Splendid day you had together.

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Tell me, sweeties. Tell me what you think.