Monday, August 30, 2010

Little Life Moments

I woke them Friday morning, my two little girls, with mommy kisses and soft calls. It was the last day of their first full week of school.

I fed them, helped them with their clothes, reminded them (once and then again) to brush their teeth, their hair, clean their faces and gather their things.

Those were all little bits of our life that morning; they're becoming the usual of our routine. But one thing stuck out, a favorite moment, one I doubt I'll see often.

We stood outside, waiting for the yellow bus to break free from the tree line. We heard it first, and I said, "Here it comes." We traded hugs; my husband and I wished them a good day, and they started down our driveway to meet their ride.

They weren't but ten feet from us when my littlest, no announcement, no request, floated her tiny hand toward her sister. Biggest may have seen that hand, peripherally, or maybe she just sensed it, for she grabbed it with her own. They held fast to the bus.

And my husband and I, already sappy with sweet love for our daughters, watched with our hearts hopping down the drive behind them.

It was just a little life moment.

Tell me about one of yours.

**Thank you for the encouragement after Friday's post. I'm learning I overthink the whole process, instead of trusting it, and that I need to stop making this harder on myself. I appreciate you all!

29 comments:

Wendy Paine Miller said...

It's small, but something really grabbed me about it. My husband was traveling last week and when he got back the girls made signs all over the house. One has him and my oldest daughter walking away (just their backs) and they are holding hands.

Just got to me, looking at that.
~ Wendy

Donna M. Kohlstrom said...

There are so many! And so precious!

While my twelve year old granddaughter was visiting last year we were looking at old home movies. There was one of my mom, my best friend, who passed away from Alzheimers. There was one of my granddaughter's mother who passed away in a tragic accident a year ago.

I was sobbing my eyes out alone in the living room because I didn't want to upset anyone else. My granddaughter came up to me, in tears, and hugged me tight for several minutes and said, "I love you." We shared the lost of our mothers in tears, fond memories and love.

Diane said...

Just seeing how much my kids really do love each other and get into death grip hugs with each other is fun to watch. :O)

Terri Tiffany said...

What is sweet is you and your husband enjoying that moment together.
Mine would be when my husband cried during Avatar yesterday:) I didn't, he did. He tries to act all tough but he has turned into the emotional sweetheart in his old age:))

Tess said...

This is such a tender image, Janna. My kiddos started school this morning and I'm missing them (they've been gone about 7 minutes now). *sigh*

but, I get to blog again (fun!) and get back to writing. that's all good.

Kara said...

I can just see your sweet girls walking to the bus together and it made me smile.
Normally, my 3 year old requests I take her to the bathroom, even when we are at the house. But after my surgery she watched as people helped me to the restroom. As I became stronger and could get up on my own she immediatly would come over to me grab my hand and walk me to the bathroom. So sweet:)

Slamdunk said...

Thanks for sharing Janna--sounds wonderful.

One of my fav dad moments was my son's first t-ball game. We arrived early at the rural baseball field in a nearby town (it was an away game). He looked like a champ in his uniform despite being nervous. The sky was deep blue, no clouds, and a bright morning sun shone over some hills in the background. It was an image that I won't forget.

Jill Kemerer said...

Oh, so sweet. That just melts my heart!

We started the back to school routine today. I started mine with a headache and a Coke. Probably not the best start!

K. Barzee said...

What a sweet story. I love kids!
Recently, Gunner & Lilly were playing on the floor. Lilly usually takes all the good ones, since Gunner still can't crawl to get them back. But that day she was sitting next to him, picking each one up & telling him about it when all of a sudden he reached over and planted a big, open-mouth, slobbery baby kiss on her cheek. How can I stop having babies with tender moments like those? ;)

Elana Johnson said...

Beautiful. There's something about siblings isn't there?

I had a moment like this earlier this year, when my trying-to-be-grown-up son (who's 12), was holding hands with his 7 year old cousin as we hiked in Glacier. It was priceless.

Jeanette Levellie said...

Oh, Janna, I'm goosebumping, read ing this tender moment in your lives.

I was touched when my son cried on his sister's wedding day. And here I thought he hadn't cared all those years...

June Kramin said...

How sweet! Hubs & I used to about cry at the old McD commercials with the big brother & little sister. Mine are 13 years apart.

Lisa Dovichi said...

I can't wait until Mr. Grumpybutt starts walking so he can hold hands with 3ft. :D

Patti said...

That made me choke up a bit. Mostly because I have two boys and that would never happen because they're now teenagers.

Although I have one girl and yestereday she made a happy anniersary card for her grandparents.

Anonymous said...

I have two.

Just last night I was telling my daughter that a man I stood next to at work smelled like my dad and it made my head spin for a minute. She immediately nodded and said, "Yeah, that Paw Paw smell, like cigarettes and old coffee and old man, but I loved it, especially when he'd hug me tight and growl." He's been gone for 5 yrs now, since she was ten, but it gave me goosebumps that she remembered that.

Other time was when my husband and I were recalling our wedding day to my stepson and how we both went blank on our "custom vows" because we were nervous. We ended up winging it and just talking from the heart. My stepson started crying. Blew me away.

Tamika: said...

I love little life moments, and if I'm careful there are more of than lying around than I think.

My eleven year old came and snuggled with me yesterday after church. She wrapped her legs around mine and leaned her head into my chest. She hasn't done that since she was four. Priceless.

Patti Lacy said...

I Love you Janna; your honesty, kindness, gentle spirit.

We can do this.

Sigh. When my baby was born as an early Christmas gift, I held her close and sang hymns. That tiny girl opened her eyes, and I could see timeless wisdom. Knowledge of the Christ child. My voice broke but I managed to keep singing Christmas carols. And she looked. And testified.
I know.
I know.
I know.

Sage Ravenwood said...

So very priceless...

I think deep down I knew my daughter appreciated all the little things we used to do together. It wasn't until this past Mother's Day that it really hit home. She took me for a drive that started out at a cafe we used to go to frequently. Along the way we stopped at each and every place we had visited - just her and I, where she remembered some small tidbit about our time together.

By the end of the day I was speechless. All small moments I never gave much thought to, simply enjoying my daughters early years. Apparently, she took them to heart and held them fast. (Hugs)Indigo

Karen said...

What a sweet slice of delight you served there. My kids are married, but once in a while a crooked smile, or touch from them sends that spiraling emotion.

Susan J. Reinhardt said...

Hi Janna -

What a special moment!

When my husband and I were courting, I was at Bible School. We spoke on the phone, and I moaned about the difficulty I was having studying for exams.

The next morning, he called me before the sun rose. He said to look out my window at the moon. It was a sweet moment, but what made it sweeter was when I looked down he was standing there. He drove six hours to help me study during breakfast.

Is it any wonder I fell in love with him?

Blessings,
Susan :)

Cat Connor said...

Over the years there have been so many fabulous moments with my tribe. But it still makes me gooey inside seeing The Boy Wonder (19) helping Squealer (11) make something and encouraging her to try things. I love the way Breezy (4) throws herself at her brothers and sisters for cuddles. The way Jobaby (21 and away at University) calls home to talk to her baby sisters as often as she can - and biggest brother calls from London for the same reason.
Makes me think we've done something right. :)

Glynis Peters said...

That was so lovely to read, thanks for sharing.

My moments: D1 on DH's arm walking down the aisle last July. Son touching my hand when I read a poem I had written for his wedding, last September.
My three hugging at both weddings, as they did when they were tiny.

Melanie Hooyenga said...

*melts*

Jody Hedlund said...

Aww, what a precious moment!! I love the small moments, the unexpected smiles and laughter, the random hugs, watching one of my children play when they don't know it. They all bring joy to my heart.

septembermom said...

What a lovely moment to share with us Janna. I loved seeing my daughter's smile when all her big brothers cheered as she hit the baseball. She felt so good about herself.

Deb Shucka said...

What a sweet sweet moment, captured perfectly. It's every single one of those small bits of miracle and magic that add up to a joyful life. Thank you for sharing.

Melissa Amateis said...

What an incredibly sweet moment.

When my daughter, now a big 5th grader, asks for extra hugs and kisses at night, I nearly start sobbing (and always oblige). I know this will end soon as middle school beckons and then the teenage years will soon be upon us...

Jennifer Shirk said...

Oh, that is so sweet! Makes me weepy.
Our first day of school is next week. I'm going to need some hand holding!

Jennifer Shirk said...

Oh, that is so sweet! Makes me weepy.
Our first day of school is next week. I'm going to need some hand holding!