Last night I was sitting with Townes while he was falling asleep and out of nowhere he tugs on my arm, looks up at me sleepily and says, “What are you up to, mommy?” That’s just not a turn of phrase my little man has ever used with me. I say, “I’m just hanging out with you buddy. What are you up to?” His response was a gentle but firm “No mommy. Townes is tired.” And before I could say anything, I looked over and he was knocked out, snoring peacefully. It reminded me how quickly he is growing up. Ok. I’m reminded every day, but when he expresses himself in even a semi-abstract manner it just drives the point home.
We’ve got lots of friends having babies and family having weddings in the upcoming weeks. So many happy occasions. Loads of people taking various leaps of faith. When I was a bit of a nomad, my more settled friends would often comment on how brave I was to live overseas or travel alone, or even how adventurous my life seemed to them. I was always flattered, but I’d try to communicate to them that my life, while free of commitment and messy attachment, was also in the same way free of deeper meaning and definitely (in my mind anyway) waaaaay less risky than deciding to get married and have a few kiddos. THAT prospect terrified me. What more adventurous thing to do is there than saying, “I choose you. For better or worse. For always.” And mean it. And then add children! Now that I’m on the other side of the fence, I thank my lucky stars every day that I met Tim and that we created this family together. Our family is a revelation to me. It is, quite simply, everything.
Here is what our family has been up to lately.
Oh my goodness, Townes IS so big! How long ago was it that I met him?
Hope you're well,
Ashley
Posted by: Ashley @ Any Lovely Thing | 04/25/2013 at 07:17 PM
Hi Ashley, Seems like it's been forever (since we have another little peanut now) but also seems just like yesterday. Again, kids speed things upi. you'll see if you decide to have a couple at some point. ;) hope to see you soon - maybe tim and I will try to get out this year to experience the Halloween festivities and your awesome costume creativity.
Posted by: Shannon | 04/29/2013 at 03:22 PM
Just read this...beautifully said. So happy that you & Tim found each other and always happy to read about those beautiful 'greats'!!
Posted by: tracy mc | 05/30/2013 at 08:05 PM
Thanks, Tracy! Are we going to see you on our trip at the end of the month?
Posted by: shannon | 06/17/2013 at 10:42 AM