Today I intended to write about how my sons are gone visiting grandma and grandpa for the long weekend. I wanted to write about how I miss them when they are gone: how I listen for their voices and footsteps and cringe when I make a loud noise out of fear I will wake them; how I miss their snuggly little bodies and stinky morning breath.
But I also wanted to write about how I enjoyed my leisurely evening and morning as mom to only a teenager: how Kate and I had a nice time shopping together and spent too much money at the Gap outlet; how Bill and I watched at least 4 episodes of The Office on DVD last night; how I stopped at Starbucks for a venti half-caff skinny caramel latte and still got to work on time for once.
I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes, from Octoberbabies (sorry, no link-she doesn't have a public blog anymore): Today you were wearing an aqua colored tank top and a white and aqua striped skirt and pigtails and you insisted on sitting on my lap for the greater part of the ride to school. I felt your weight on my lap and smelled the conditioner in your hair. I put one hand on your leg and one on your tummy and thought to myself, “what did I do with these hands before my babies were born?”
But I also wanted to write about how I enjoyed my leisurely evening and morning as mom to only a teenager: how Kate and I had a nice time shopping together and spent too much money at the Gap outlet; how Bill and I watched at least 4 episodes of The Office on DVD last night; how I stopped at Starbucks for a venti half-caff skinny caramel latte and still got to work on time for once.
I wanted to share one of my favorite quotes, from Octoberbabies (sorry, no link-she doesn't have a public blog anymore): Today you were wearing an aqua colored tank top and a white and aqua striped skirt and pigtails and you insisted on sitting on my lap for the greater part of the ride to school. I felt your weight on my lap and smelled the conditioner in your hair. I put one hand on your leg and one on your tummy and thought to myself, “what did I do with these hands before my babies were born?”
That last line has always spoken to me, and it comes to mind at rare times like this, when my children are not with me. And I came up with my clever title for the post: "empty-handed".
And then I started checking all my blogs. And started reading about this story.
And thinking about this family.
And the title of my post took on a new meaning.
Rest in peace Katie.
7 comments:
Breathtaking, Gretchen. Tears.
Yes, Katie, rest in peace. I have been trying not to read the story...it's just so incomprehensible and so very very sad.
Enjoy your weekend and before you know it, your hands will once again be full.
Don't quite know what to say about the story... I stumbled here from Secret Agent Josaphine - your name caught my eye.
Greetings, from one Gretchen to another!
so beautiful, Gretchen.
hope you have a wonderful weekend, time with your teen, time with your man, and time with YOU.
p.s. dave and i have been happily making our way through The Office, too!
So glad to hear you had some good one-on-one time with Kate.
Katie's story is just heart-breaking.
Gretchen, what a beautiful post. I've reread it three times. Thanks.
Thank you. I hadn't actually noticed the guiding hand, just Katie herself.
Best wishes
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