 |
| Oliver and Sophie, 2001 |
We talk a lot about growth spurts here at Casa Crazy. Henry, now thirteen, has had a huge one and is one hair shy of being taller than both me and The Husband. I swear it happened overnight, and Oliver regularly exclaims and wonders when his growth spurt will happen (he's on the Swiss, short and stocky side, while Henry has the leggy, skinny body of my side of the family). Last night, Oliver and I climbed on Sophie's bed, where she lay on her side, buried under the covers, and I read aloud for about half an hour. Afterward, Oliver lay next to Sophie, up on one elbow, gazing into her face. She reached her tiny, tapered hands up to flutter over his face, and he closed his eyes and sighed. It feels so soft, he said, and he held Sophie's hand in his own, his fingers short and square, his hands still dimpled with boy-dirt under the nails. Look, I said, your hand is bigger than Sophie's, already! I knew this would please him as he's off-put by his brother's grandeur. Do you think Sophie will have a growth spurt? he asked. I told him that no, she probably wouldn't and that she probably wouldn't grow too much from here. Oliver sat up and said Why? That's weird, right? I told him that she really hadn't grown much in the last three years or so, and that I thought it had something to do with her disability. Oliver lay back down next to Sophie, his head touching hers and they looked at one another. I turned out the light and lay down myself, my arm over both of them, the light from the hallway a band across their faces, shadows on the wall.
The picture and the prose are both lovely and touching.
ReplyDeleteSome years back, I was standing at the kitchen sink when our eldest, Adam, walked up behind me. I turned, gasped and said "when did you get so tall"! It does happen very quickly.
I can identify with Oliver. When I was fifteen, I thought I was actually a midget and my parents hadn't told me. I was still going to movies for a child's ticket price! I did have a growth spurt between 17 and 18 and started paying full price.
Best,
Bonnie
Oh Elizabeth. My heart just broke open and something poured out like wine, like honey, like love.
ReplyDeleteThank-you for who you are, for what you do, for giving it to us, too.
OMG...that's so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteSo beautiful, Elizabeth, and so clearly tells the story of what a gift Sophie's life is in her brothers' lives.
ReplyDeleteAfter a week of jealousy, and upset, and hurt over her brother's disability, this was a beautiful reminder that our daughter has such a special relationship with him. Just like Oliver has with Sophie. Absolutely beautiful.
ReplyDeleteHere's wishing you all had a peaceful night of rest.
ReplyDeleteThe photo is lovely.
ReplyDeleteI think Oliver is going to be a very good big brother. What a caring and gentle young man he is. Sophie is no doubt proud.
Wow. Powerful. Moving in so many ways. A beautiful post.
ReplyDeleteYes. Beautiful and touching writing. And way of living, Dear Elizabeth. Sending love. x0 N2
ReplyDeletean exquisite moment, beautifully writ. how wise you are elizabeth to notice it happening. there is so much love here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. I felt like I was standing quietly, in the corner of the room, listening.
ReplyDeleteExquisite photo. Exquisite post.
ReplyDeleteSo lovely. I love that relationship. His tenderness with her is so touching. Thank you for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteSophie looks like she is just soaking in the sweet smell of that darling baby brother of hers.
ReplyDeleteSomething tells me, she was doing the very same last night.
Well, I'm crying. You are such a good mother, Elizabeth. And you have such remarkable and beautiful children, all of them. No matter what, you have made this world a better place for all of you.
ReplyDeleteAnd at the root of it all is this love ....
ReplyDeleteSigh
What a lovely joyful moment. You have clearly done so right with all of your kids. Oh, and I think you should copyright the expression 'boy-dirt under his fingernails'.
ReplyDeleteI love reading about how your sons are with Sophie. I believe that they will grow into men of deeper compassion, understanding and openness because of their relationship with her. She is a blessing, and the way you mother your children is also a blessing.
ReplyDeleteLove is the strongest thing in the universe. Sometimes the fact that we come from love, live in love, and (I believe) return to love is so big that it's hard to grasp...but those thoughts are probably the greatest comfort I know.
so moving.
ReplyDeletethis made me cry.
ReplyDeleteGod. (this is what i say when I read a heart blasting poem, a rare moment of words that make me feel religious, as these words of your just did).
ReplyDeletesniff....you always make me cry....
ReplyDeleteThis made me cry this morning as I read it. Your boys are so gentle with their sister, so compassionate. She has given them a gift that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives.
ReplyDeletewhat Ms. Moon said.
ReplyDeletethat picture is divine and your writing takes me places I've never been. Such sweetness and tenderness.
ReplyDelete