“a portrait of my children, once a week, every week in 2014”
liam // This week, you suffered your first deep feelings of being-left-out with friends as a result of decisions your dad and I have made for our family. Maybe you won’t understand until you’re a parent how hard these choices can be for us, that it hurts us to see you in pain, that we really do want good things for you. And maybe one of the hardest life lessons is when goodness comes to us through the word, “no.” We love you dearly, son.
burke // Your friend had a birthday this week, and you decided to make him a birthday card with 12 of your favorite jokes. Your quietness is often mistaken for seriousness. You so love to laugh and be silly.
blythe // One of your teeth fell out in your sleep this week. You noticed just after breakfast and excitedly found it near your pillow, “Mom! Look! My tooth came out in my sleep!” (Exclamations points are warranted here.)
olive // This week you and your sister helped me make a tasty treat for a new issue of Wild + Free. You love being in the kitchen, always right by my side. When I asked you this week where you’d like to go if you could travel anywhere in the world, you replied, “to you!” It was the sweetest and most sincere response.
Comments
My favorite week yet. These photos are surely cherished and the descriptions too. And how are there only 12 weeks left in the year?
Every week I count up, I realize I am also counting down, which seems so strangely surreal. The years keep sifting by faster and faster. I guess that’s what I’ve always heard though. Love to you, Betsy. x
One of the hardest things is realizing your choices make you counter-cultural even amidst other friends who are already pretty counter-culture. “This is what is best for OUR family” said in a kind but firm voice doesn’t really do much to assuage their disappointment.
Also, I love what Olive said. Just yesterday evening, I was sitting out in the front with Harper and she said, “Mommy, where is your favorite place in the WORLD?” I almost said Prague, then I caught myself and said, “Right here, right now.” And she said, “Me too!”
Why haven’t we seen each other in so long, Patti? I hope it happens at some point. I’m sure we would have many things to share with the other, and I would learn so much, I can only imagine. I love that you had the forethought to respond in such a way to Harper. What a gift to her growing heart. xo