(Philippians 4:8)
On Wednesday, my middle daughter left for Catholic camp. She departed a little after lunch, following our running around doing last-minute errands and enjoying a bite to eat together. We had just a bit of time at home before her friend’s mother came to retrieve her; just long enough for me to download some of the first photos she took with her first digital camera (see peonies above).
And then it was time, and there I was in the driveway, waving goodbye to one of my lovely things.
As I stood waving, I suddenly shifted from what I was feeling — the sudden void — to what she may have been feeling — the sudden sense of wonder over what was upcoming. It was a cool feeling, stepping aside from my own concerns and letting myself feel the excitement with her: Who would their counselor be, and what about the cabin mates? What would they eat for dinner? Was it going to be rainy or sunny at camp?
Then, I let my hand drop to my side, no longer able to see her, and just let go. I allowed myself to be okay with seeing her disappear.
It’s never the same when one child is gone. The dynamics change instantly. I felt a sense of relief that we’d gotten all her camp things in order. I could let go a bit — one less child to tend to for a few days.
The summer has been good to me, to us, so far. I do not feel the stress that I’ve felt in previous summers. It’s not tension-free, but I am feeling the lovely things in abundance.
Peonies are one of my favorite flowers. They don’t get the attention of the rose but I find them just as lovely, perhaps even more so, and nearly as deliciously pungent. They, too, are lovely things.
I was sad I hadn’t gotten out to take a picture of the peonies before they began to wilt from rain, but my daughter showed me that she’d taken some with her new birthday camera. I was so joyful to know the peonies would still be with us thanks to her tender heart and keen eye.
What a sweet gift to leave me with — the gift of a memory from our back yard that wasn’t mine but hers.
A lovely thing, indeed.
What lovely things have you encountered this week?
Roxanne,
Absolutely beautiful peony!! How sweet of a gift from your daughter. Hope she has a great time at camp.
Hoping your weekend brings you some more unexpected wonderful gifts!
First, a story on camp. I went to girl scout camp as a kid but my husband (raised Protestant in one denomination, changed denominations once as an adult, now confused) attended a Christian camp (different denomination from the one he was raised in, not that that matters but I find it interesting since just about 30 minutes from the camp he went to was one for his denomination). We were at a dinner with other couples from our parish and they were discussing summer camp options for the kids (day camp vs residential, specialty camps vs YMCA style camps) and he mentioned he went to a Christian camp and his voice kind of trailed off. One of the older women in our group said, ‘Oh, I had a friend who went to one of those once, she learned a lot…about sin.’ We all were comfortable enough with each other to start laughing because we all thought it was funny. Of course as kids we had a lot of freedom and in some cases, too much, as her comment illustrated.
As for beautiful things, on Sunday, our last day at the beach we walked out onto a pier to watch people fish and take in the view. The water was emerald green below us and so beautiful looking. Usually the water I see at beaches around here is brown, so it was an unexpected beauty to see.
One of the most joyful things about parenthood is the way our kids help us see things in a new light. Truly a blessing!
I love peonies and have not one single peony in my yard. I really must do something about that!
Happy weekend!
Fireflies!
I think the best thing I witnessed this week is this: A friend with a physically disabled 7 y.o (due to a premature birth) is pregnant due in mid Aug. She is in the hospital now and if all goes well she will have the baby July 4ish. Despite all this young mother has been through with her 7 year old, she remains a true believer in God and counts on Him. To see her smile while laying in that bed is a true delight.
I also saw a scissor tailed fly catcher this week!
Mary Catherine
Oohhhh, I loved all of your lovely things. Thank you for sharing!
Kim, I’ll have my eyes open for more.
Kristen, I hate to say it but I recall some interesting revelations from Christian camp as a child. I suppose it’s a free enough environment that these things can come up at such a place, no matter Christian or not, day camp or overnight. Still, I loved camp. I don’t recall ever being homesick, even when I was 450miles from home at Girl Scout Camp in the Bear Tooth Mountains of Montana. 🙂
Becky, yes, you must get peonies!
Jane, do you have those where you are? I’m envious!
And MC, lovely things indeed! I will pray for a healthy delivery, and so glad you saw your beloved bird. 🙂
Weekend blessings to all!
Roxane, your beautiful peony makes me think of John Keats. Clearly, he thought they were as good as roses too.
But when the melancholy fit shall fall
Sudden from heaven like a weeping cloud…
…Then glut thy sorrow on a morning rose,
Or on the rainbow of the salt sand-wave,
Or on the wealth of globed peonies.
But I’m glad you’re just appreciating them in peace, and not in a melancholy fit. 😉
What a nice article to read. Lovely things…hmmm.
Well, Wednesday night I decided to walk down in to my back part of my pasture to check on my horses. It was so beautiful, Roxane. Huge silver moon bathed the landscape in silver, the warm scent of Mimosa and honeysuckle, the call of the whippoorwill, the chorus of frogs and cricket and such.
I carried a flashlight but didn’t use it. I called to my horses and they walked over. My Sassy is special to me. Had her since she was born. I love the sound of that soft nicker in greeting. All three sort of have a rumbling purr almost. Doc and Sweetie, went back to grazing and Sassy laid her head on my shoulder.
It was a beautiful moment of peace and contentment. I listened to the wind rustle the trees and brush against my skin, smelled the new cut hay, heard the coyotes call to hunt in the hills, felt the soft velvet of Sassy’s muzzle on my shoulder and the taste of love from her slighty salty nose when I kissed her.
What a grand creator we have that not only gives us an array of beauty to look at, but adds the rich layers of scent, touch, hearing, and taste.
For me, waving good-bye to a child leaving for camp is both thrilling and terrifying. I’m so happy for the experiences that I know my daughter will enjoy, but as always, I want to worry about what “might” go wrong.
And you’re so right, with one child gone, if even for a few days, the dynamics of the home do change. It’s interesting.
I loved this post – especially your mention of peonies. They do tend to get overshadowed by the more majestic rose.
I’m glad I happened upon your blog. It’s nice to “meet” you.
D.J.
Hi Roxane, You do seem calmer this summer. What a lovely photo of a beautiful peony..she may have found her calling in photography!
I see so many lovely things, where to start, the rain coming down in torrents early this morning, but with no wind. My husbands sweet smile, Chances bright eyes..lovely things must be in the eye of the beholder, because I am sure only I have “Eyes” for my aging husband and his faithful dog.
You have a great weekend..:)
Rosslyn, oh, how perfect to share a poem with a peony in it.
Sia, jot down that scene. I can easily imagine it in a novel or memoir. Beautiful! I felt as if I were walking with you in the moonlight, visiting your horses. Just gorgeous.
D.J., so nice to meet you too! Another lovely happening. I hope you have a blog I can visit in turn.
And Far Side, you are so right. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Not everyone would get as excited about a peony flower as I do. Some lovely things seem to be universal but you’re right that when it comes to our special people and pets, we see their loveliness with a different lens that seems perpetually on macro setting. 🙂
Blessings all and many lovely things to come, I hope!