Scrappy Hearts

About Being a Mother

Making the decision to have a child is momentous.  It is to decide forever to have your heart go walking around outside your body.  ~Elizabeth Stone

On this eve of Mother's Day I am reminded of the blessings I have received because I am blessed to be my children's mother.  I know that tomorrow will bring wishes for the day and notes of  gratitude.  But if I were to be honest, really honest, I would have to admit that it is me that has benefited from the relationship that I have with Jason and Jessica. My remarkable children have truly taught me what it means to be alive in the moment. To take each day as it comes and to "work on what we have, not what we are missing." For that I am grateful. I must admit, because I have had the honor of being their mother, I have been changed for good.

Dancing Light

My bedroom has a large window that faces the northwest. In the evening, especially this time of year, when the sun sets, I am entertained by dancing lights above my bed. I sit back in the wicker chair that rests in front of my desk and I am mesmerized by the show.

The light flows naturally through this wide open window. The dancing light is created by the gentle swaying of the leaves on the birch trees right outside the window and the graceful billowing of the lace curtains that alas, only provide a modicum of privacy. The breeze sets the curtains sashaying nonchalantly against the desk and me, sitting there. The light serves as a distraction, a delightful distraction at that.

Of course, with the air warming up and the spring breeze blowing, I really do not need any more distractions. But, here I sit enjoying every distractable moment.

I could revisit my to-do list. Or, I could even attempt to be creative, but it's no use. Perhaps I should plan for an early start tomorrow and just call it a night. Sounds like a plan.

Wednesday with Jay

I snapped this shot while waiting for the high speed line on Wednesday, making my trek into Philly to spend the evening with Jason. I am one spoiled mama. Really. Tuesday with Jess and then Wednesday with Jay. Seeing them both in the same night is the only thing that would have made this week better.

Our evening started with dinner at Nodding Head, a micro brewery, not far from Rittenhouse Square. We always get the best table, nestled in the alcove created by a window that bows out over the sidewalk. 

Catching up, sharing news and just enjoying the company made for a perfect dinner. Our destination was the Curtis Institute and a graduate recital featuring a musician playing clarinet. We had a beautiful evening and, with a little time to kill before the recital, we headed into Rittenhouse Square to hang with the locals.

The weather could not have been better. A beautiful spring evening.

Jason and I love heading to the Curtis for the graduate recitals. One of the many blessings of living so close to Philadelphia. Beautiful music, an intimate venue and great company. Wednesday Jason's friend Ross joined us. Many times there is a whole group of us, but last night it was just us three. The recital featured not only the clarinet but wonderful accompaniment by a variety of other musicians. An interesting mix of compositions was featured including this piece by Bela Bartok, Contrasts.

The recital was longer than usual and I found myself Jersey bound well after 10pm on a school night. What was I thinking? Fortunately I am literally a hop, skip, and a jump from Center City.

Poor Jay looks a little worse for the wear but really I was the tired one! Our next date is Sunday, Mother's Day. Dinner at Jason's with friends and then a walk over to the Curtis for an organ recital. I'll say it again, I am one spoiled mama!

Tuesday with Jess

Today was a glorious day for a drive. So, when Jess picked me up from work at 1 we hopped in the car and headed to Brooklyn. While it all felt pretty impromptu, it was anything but. 

Jess needed to complete focus group research for a marketing plan she is writing for school. She arrived here, late last night and proceeded to pull an all-nighter, with a trip to the 24 hour Kinkos at about 5 this morning. She was at the high school, where she spent the entire morning, well before 8.

Knowing her schedule and how tight her timing was, I offered to help by taking time off from work to carpool her where ever she needed to go. Well, as it turns out, she needed to get back to Brooklyn. Which worked out terrifically because I had provisions, from the December run that never happened, that also needed to get to Brooklyn. How serendipitous!

The car was packed and a plan was hatched. Off we went. Complete with our Wawa sandwiches, a road trip staple, and our obligatory Starbucks' beverages. Our trip was uneventful and fast. We spent time catching up, just a little and Jess spent some time sleeping, quite a bit. We made really good time until we hit Brooklyn where it took 40 minutes to travel less than 10 exits on the BQE. Such is life in the big city!

The weather stayed beautiful despite threatening skies and a few drops of rain which moved out of the region very quickly. We spent time on the roof, enjoying the view. I was able to capture some great photos of the "new" Jess, slimmed down and ready for summer.

After a quick Mexican dinner at a little restaurant on Bushwick Ave, I was off for home. We had such a great time together and that happens a little too infrequently these days. I honestly think the last time we were together was when I was teaching a workshop in NYC, in February. It was too long ago. The distance is difficult and we miss each other terribly.

But, today was a great day and I am so glad we had the opportunity to spend time together.