My two-week vacation is whirling by, now only a few days remain. Most of this time has been spent with my 3-year-old grandson, O’Farrell. He is a bundle of energy, never sitting down until one of us older family members insists that he do.
I cover him with kisses that begins each morning as he bust into my bedroom, he leans in toward me to make sure I cover his face completely. I only see his twice a year, so I try to pack as much one-on-one time as possible. I’ve taken him to his first visit to a movie theater. He was afraid to walk into the darkened theater, and was ready to go after he’s eaten all his popcorn and Laffy Taffy, chasing it all down with Spirit. However, once the movie was over he didn’t understand why we couldn’t stay and watch it again.
We’ve spent time at the pool. Once assured of his safety with a life jacket builted into his swim suit the fun begins .He ends up drinking quite a bit of pool water, because he can’t stop smiling from ear to ear. It got even better for him the day we invited his older cousin, Alexis to join us.
At night we sit on the couch watching Shrek over and over. He has the whole collection but prefers the first because of the pink dragon. Bedtime comes and he cries every night when we have to part. He doesn’t realize I feel the separation as much as he does, so I cover him with more kisses to last until the morning.
Don’t get me wrong I love seeing my mother, we can’t have enough time together and my daughter, my baby girl is the wind beneath my wings and we have a ball together, especially since Monique is expecting her second child in January. I love when Mom, Monique and I are out wandering around, it doesn’t matter what we’re looking at, it’s all about being together.
Summertime means family time and time for me to decompress. I take this time to reflect, to go inward and set my intentions for the rest of the year. I take time to read something for the sheer enjoyment of reading; this summer it’s “The Help”. A wonderfully written book I honestly didn’t want to like because it was written about black maids in the 1960′s by a white woman. I love when a judgement I’ve made based on an assumption is wrong, it’s another lesson learned. I look forward to the movie.
The return to school marks the return to work with a renewed zest for what lays ahead. We don’t feel the change in season as much in Florida as in other areas of the country, but we know when the breeze gets cooler that time is upon us. The days get shorter and I fall back into my routines, doing the work that I love.
For now, I’ll enjoy the last of my vacation and all the hugs and kisses I get from my little man. I dread saying good-bye to him, and the rest of the family, but this is the perfect time to remember the power of the NOW and fill each moment with all the love I can muster. The good news is Christmas is only five months away, and I will get another visit with those that I love.
Namaste’
