photographs

Birthday

Today is my birthday, but really it should be my mother’s day.  On August 16, 1974, she was born as a mother just as surely as I was born as a human.  I was three weeks premature, and I’ve been in a hurry and chronically early ever since.  She was in the middle of cooking for a dinner party when she went into labor, and she’s been the life of the party and everybody’s favorite hostess ever since.

I love you, Mum.  Thank you for being my most important role model in this, the most important role of my life.

Golden

Walking away from Legoland, towards our hotel, on our last night.  The dusk light was golden, and so were these two.

San Diego sunset

The sky as we left Legoland last night at 8pm.  My throat tightened as we walked towards the golden sky.  One more day here, so we are headed towards the sunset of this most-anticipated trip.  I’ve been sad about leaving all day, even though, as Whit says, “We have another day!  Bright side!”  We are also headed towards the sunset of this summer, this season in our lives, the August when Grace was 9 and Whit was 7.  It’s all so sweet, and so short, I can’t stand it.

Flashlight tag

Counting while the three brothers hide, in a game of flashlight tag.  Martha’s Vineyard, August 2012.  As I watched the six of them scamper around in the darkness, faces sticky from smores, my eyes smarted with tears.  These are the days they will remember.  This is what childhood summers should be.