Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Making Memories

It's monsoon season up here in the mountains. Most afternoons the lightening starts cracking, the sky turns black, and you can barely see across the street through the curtain of water that cascades off our roof like a waterfall. The other day, probably because global warming is letting us know she's here and she's not going away, gumball-sized hail started peppering the ground. The rain kicked up even more, providing quite the show for Jack, Jacob, Chloe and me. When the hail stopped, I looked at the kids and asked, "Who wants to rip off their shoes right now and run to the bottom of the driveway and back?"

Within four seconds we were barefoot and streaking through the rain, laughing and getting as soaked as if we had been standing under a shower head. It was a great early afternoon rush, and the perfect way to alleviate the sticky sweaty residue of a morning packing up the home in the summer heat

When we sloshed our way inside, I decided we needed a break from this moving madness and I loaded everyone up and we spent the afternoon shopping. We went out to eat, then to Target, the mall, and finally the bookstore. We bought new DVD players for the car, clothes for the wedding we'll be attending in Minnesota, and some crack books for our summer reading list. My debit card was smoking by the time we wrapped things up. It was delightful.

That evening I walked by Chloe sitting at the kitchen counter. She was writing a letter to her sister, who is away at overnight camp until August 1. "Be sure to tell her about your week, honey. You could mention the cooking class you took, or how Mr. Pickles is doing, or the new things we got today for the trip next month." I peered over her shoulder.

Dear Maddie,
Today was the best day. Mom and me and Jacob played outside in a rainstorm without any shoes on and got totally wet. We were screaming real loud and you couldn't hear it because the rain was coming down so hard.

After all this living I've done, I still need a wake up call to remind me that the things kids remember aren't things. Today? Go roll in the grass with your kids, or watch mud squish through your toes, or decide to eat your lunch without any silverware.

18 comments:

Bratfink said...

"the things kids remember aren't things"

So true.

Why do we keep forgetting?
.

Anonymous said...

This was the best possible thing for me to read today, and I'm not exaggerating in the slightest. Parenting/life lesson absorbed and ready for immediate implementation!

Anonymous said...

I like doing that with the kids I sit for. I ALWAYS have spare clothes for them cause I play in mud, with paint or with the hose! You are so right about what kids remember.

Lawyer Mama said...

Thanks for the reminder....

BTW - My Lip Smacker arrived while I was on vacation last week. Thank you!! I have it sitting on my desk at work now and have been using it liberally all day. Everyone is so jealous!

Anonymous said...

Your post brought tears to my eyes. I've been lurking around your blog for a while now. This is my first time leaving a comment. I really enjoy reading your blog. Its makes me laugh and helps me remember what really important in life - living life itself.

Tam said...

Awesome post! These are the things I want to remember when my baby finally comes home...

Fairly Odd Mother said...

Sweet! What a great memory for you both!

S said...

What perfect advice. So very wise.

Nancy said...

I remember (40 years ago) the end of our street would flood in rain storms and all us kids would be out in the rain, playing at the end of the street in the "deep" (about 1 foot) water.

Your post brought back that vivid memory ... thank you.

Anonymous said...

Wow. What a beautiful post.

Robin said...

I love this post. What a great reminder.

I wrote something similar about vacation memories for Scribbit's Write-Away contest back in May. Those small details that become the cornerstone of our memories really delight me.

Ms. Skywalker said...

What a beautiful post.

Eat dinner without silverware? Yeah, that would be just another day in the kingdom.

Anonymous said...

Yes! I need to go jump in the rain with them right now.

With a freshly applied coat of Dr. Pepper LipSmacker, of course. Love it!
Thank you!

Kristi B said...

I love you Jen! Your post made me cry---hard! It's been too long since I've done something like run in the rain with the kids. Lately, I'm proud of myself when I let THEM run in the rain and don't yell too much when they come in muddy and wet. You are awesome and an inspiration to me!

Maude Lynn said...

Fantastic post and a great reminder to loosen up from time to time!

Cristina said...

Wow. Very poignant. Congrats on your PP Award. Well-deserved!

Bitsy Parker said...

I just wrote about kids and a storm too, but my story ended with my discussing divorce with my husband because he wouldn't get us a cab.

You are MUCH better than me. My poor son said of the storm, "Is the lighting trying to find little boys?"

Congrats on the PP award. Glad to know about your site.

shauna said...

This is a perfect post! You deserve that award (and I'm so glad I found you via Top Blog Mag!).